The life-cycle of Sagitta elegans Verrill And Sagitta setosa J. Müller in Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland, 1972–1973

Abstract

An oceanographic survey of Galway Bay was initiated in 1972. Plankton samples were collected on monthly cruises at selected areas in the bay.Sagitta elegans and Sagitta setosa were found not to be entirely resident in the bay and recruitment of all stages occurred from outside the bay several times during the study. It has also been suggested that the younger stages, especially of S. elegans, were washed out of the bay in the upper layers.S. elegans was breeding in Galway Bay in July, August and September 1972 and possibly April and May 1973. Breeding was observed in the S. setosa population in September 1972 and from August to November 1973.