BIOTIC Species Information for Neomysis integer
Click here to view the MarLIN Key Information Review for Neomysis integer
Researched byGeorgina Budd Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
Developmental mechanismOvoviviparous
Reproductive SeasonSpring to Autumn Reproductive LocationAs adult
Reproductive frequencyAnnual protracted Regeneration potential No
Life span<1 year Age at reproductive maturity<1 year
Generation time<1 year FecundityUp to ca 50
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeInsufficient information
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential100-1000m Larval settlement periodNot relevant
Duration of larval stageNot relevant   
Reproduction Preferences Additional InformationThe life history and biology of Neomysis integer differs slightly between localities (Mees et al., 1994; Astthorsson, 1980; Parker & West, 1979; Mauchline, 1971; Ralph, 1965; Kinne, 1955; Vorstman, 1951). Apparently the local environmental factors, especially temperature, have an influential role in determining the duration of the breeding season and the number of generations produced per year. Typically there are three generations per year.
For instance, in a population from Loch Etive, studied by Mauchline (1971), the over-wintering members consisted predominantly of juveniles and immature males and females. Once mature they began an intensive period of breeding in the spring. The spring generation matured rapidly and bred during late June and early July, which consequently produced a third generation in the autumn. These intensive periods of breeding were set against a background of continuous breeding throughout the year, so that discrete generations were not evident, but modal age groups within the population could be traced over weeks, or in the case of the over-wintering population, a few months.
However, outside periods of intensive breeding the recruitment rate was lower: < 1% of females carried eggs and broods were smaller. Brood size in mysid shrimps has been found to be related to female body length and season (Mauchline, 1971). A winter brood of Neomysis integer from Loch Etive consisted of between 10-25 juveniles compared to 20-50 in the summer.
In contrast, to the population of Neomysis integer from Loch Etive, a population from the Ythan estuary on the east coast of Scotland studied by Astthorsson (1980), produced only two generations per year with a complete cessation of breeding during winter. Temperature differences between the two locations were implicated as the Ythan estuary had a much lower summer maximum temperature than Loch Etive (17°C cf. 20°C; Leach, 1971; Gage, 1974).
Reproduction References Makings, 1977, Mauchline, 1971, Astthorsson, 1980, Vorstman, 1951, Ralph, 1965, Parker & West, 1979, Kinne, 1955, Mees et al., 1994, Gage, 1974, Leach, 1971,
