Substrate Selection in Caprellid Amphipods of Southern California, with Emphasis on Caprella californica Stimpson and Caprella equilibra Say (Amphipoda)

Abstract

The substrate affinities of Southern Californian caprellids were studied with principal interest in two species, Caprella californica and Caprella equilibra. Experiments designed to test the selectivity for three substrates at Long Beach Marina showed C. californica to "prefer" the bryozoan Bugula neritina over the algae Polysiphonia pacifica and Ulva lobata. Caprella equilibra showed no preference between Bugula neritina and Polysiphonia pacifica, but selected these substrates over Ulva lobata. Selectivity of Caprella californica was attributed to its cryptic adaptation.