The Biology of Schistomysis Ornata [Crustacea, Mysidacea]

Abstract

Schistomysis ornata (G. O. Sars) occurs in the deeper regions of the Firth of Clyde and in many of the lochs of the west coast of Scotland. It has been caught in Loch Fyne at depths as great as 175 m but is more common living above a muddy bottom in depths between 50 and 100 m. It is rarely caught in large numbers but as many as 100 individuals have been caught per haul in the western arm of the Kyles of Bute, Firth of Clyde and in Loch Etive, Argyll. It is associated with populations of Erythrops serrata (G. O. Sars) and Leptomysisgracilis (G.O. Sars) in the Clyde (Mauchline, 1968,1969) and with populations of Pareuchaeta norvegica (Boeck) and Sagitta elegans Verrill in Loch Etive.