Biology

Bathyporeia spp. show two types of rnovement, swimming and burrowing, that may follow each other up in rapid succession. Often they seem to burrow with the dorsal side upwards. This may be associated with the breeding cycle. In deeper waters the spring rise in temperature initiates breeding, while in shallower waters it is induced by tidal phasing. Breeding of B. guilliamsoniana starts in January and becomes intense in May. In the deeper waters the breeding season is short and occurs only in spring. The breeding season in the shallower areas may extend into August (Watkin, 1939a, 1939b; Nicolaisen & Kanneworff, 1969; Finchham, 1971). Bathyporeia shows a typical feeding position lying upside down in a small cavity in the sand, and may be considered a selective deposit feeder. it feeds by cleaning sand grains from adhering micro-organisms and detritus (Nicolaisen & Kanneworff, 1969).