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- Title
Density dependence of sexual reproduction in Enchytraeus bigeminus (Enchytraeidae).
- Authors
Christensen, Bent
- Abstract
In dense mass cultures, Enchytraeus bigeminus Nielsen et Christensen, reproduces solely by fragmentation and subsequent regeneration. In cultures started with small numbers of worms some individuals become sexually mature. At densities less than 300–350, sexual reproduction was not suppressed, whereas at densities above ca 400, only few became sexually mature. Worms hatched from eggs have to pass through several generations of fragmentation before they once again mature sexually. The ecological importance of this reproductive behaviour may be that in dense populations of E. bigeminus sexual reproduction is also suppressed m some potential competitors that are obligatory sexual breeders.
- Subjects
REPRODUCTION; ANIMAL sexual behavior; ANIMAL behavior; SEX (Biology); BIOLOGY; ENCHYTRAEIDAE; HAPLOTAXIDA
- Publication
Oikos, 1973, Vol 24, Issue 2, p287
- ISSN
0030-1299
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/3543887