Metapopulation dynamics of Tigriopus brevicornis (Harpacticoida) in intertidal rock pools

Habitat characteristics and metapopulation dynamics of the copepod Tigriopus californicus

“…Most of these colonists originated from a subset of local populations, and the genetic diversity in a newly established population increased with the age of the population (Dybdahl 1994). A more recent study by Johnson (2001) looked at population dynamics in a closely related species, T. brevicornis, in pools in the upper and middle-tidal zone over 31 d. This study found that local population dynamics were only weakly correlated in different populations among pools. As already reported by Vittor (1971), population sizes are highly variable throughout the year, but the fluctuations are neither correlated among populations nor correlated with environmental variables, such as salinity or temperature (Vittor 1971).…”

“…Copepods of the genus Tigriopus are generally restricted to high intertidal and supralittoral rock pools worldwide. These habitats are naturally fragmented with low connectivity among populations, making it an excellent model system to study metapopulation dynamics (Vittor 1971, Dybdahl 1994, Burton 1997, Powlik 1999, Johnson 2001. Desiccation of the habitat causes local extinction, as T. californicus does not have droughtresistant resting stages (Vittor 1971).…”

“…As already reported by Vittor (1971), population sizes are highly variable throughout the year, but the fluctuations are neither correlated among populations nor correlated with environmental variables, such as salinity or temperature (Vittor 1971). Besides looking at short-term population dynamics, Johnson (2001) also investigated the effect of the shore height of pools on occupancy and population densities. Population declines were especially observed at the lower end of the species range across all shore heights during spring tide (Johnson 2001).…”

“…Besides looking at short-term population dynamics, Johnson (2001) also investigated the effect of the shore height of pools on occupancy and population densities. Population declines were especially observed at the lower end of the species range across all shore heights during spring tide (Johnson 2001). Contrary to the generally high extinction rates reported by Dybdahl (1994), Johnson (2001) found relatively few extinction events in pools above the mean high tide level.…”

“…The patchiness of habitats naturally arises from the heterogeneous distribution of key resources across the landscape or derives from anthropogenic habitat fragmentation. Examples of metapopulation dynamics of species inhabiting spatially delimited habitats include aquatic crustaceans and insects dwelling in ponds or tree holes (Kneitel & Miller 2003, Altermatt & Ebert 2010, amphibians and fishes residing in ponds or lakes (Sjögren 1991) and marine crusta ceans, mussels and fishes inhabiting reefs and tidepools (Pfister 1998, Johnson 2001, Schulte et al 2009, SaenzAgudelo et al 2011. Temporal turnover of populations within and among habitat patches is characteristic of all metapopulations (Levins 1970, Hanski & Gaggiotti 2004, and often, habitat patchiness is intrinsically linked with habitat turnover, resulting in ephemeral habitat patches (Burton 1997, Altermatt et al 2009).…”