Tidal dispersal of salt marsh insect larvae within the Westerschelde Estuary
Hemminga, M.A.; van Soelen, J.; Koutstaal, B.P. (1990). Tidal dispersal of salt marsh insect larvae within the Westerschelde Estuary. Holarctic Ecology 13(4): 308-315
In the Westerschelde Estuary, salt marshes are present as isolated patches fringing the estuary. In the present paper tidal transport of stem-boring larvae of Agapanthia villosoviridescens (Coleoptera) from salt marshes of the upper reaches of the Westerschelde estuary to marshes of the lower reaches is demonstrated. The evidence for the origin of the larvae is based on comparisons of growth and development characteristics of larvae found in flood debris belts and resident larval populations. These characteristics are different on the various salt marshes along the Westerschelde, probably as a result of estuarine gradients. Additional evidence for the larval origin comes from the plant composition of the flood debris. The occurrence of upward tidal transport is discussed. Considering the comparatively large area of salt marshes in the upper estuary, tidal dispersal of larvae probably will be dominated by transport in seaward direction.
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