Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | - Timing and length of the reproductive period is influenced by temperature. In the south of its range, on the north coast of Spain, Hyale prevostii breeds year-round (Gonzáles & Anadón, 1981). In cooler waters the reproductive period is reduced, for example, February-November in Scotland (Moore, 1986) and April - October in New England (McBane & Crocker, 1984).
- Reproduction, and therefore the production of gametes, varies across its range.
- The mating system is polygynous. Mating is prefaced by a period of precopula (duration c.42h) during which time the male carries the passive female tucked under the ventral surface (Moore, 1986).
- There is no sperm storage, and fertilisation is external.
- Amphipods do not have a free swimming larval stage. Embryos are brooded in a marsupium, beneath the thorax, formed by the coxal plates and released as juveniles.
- Same size females produce fewer eggs both to the far north and far south of their range supporting the hypothesis that optimal conditions exist in the middle of the species' geographical range.
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