Measurements of distribution, swimming and feeding behaviour, diet analysis and morphometric measurements of Paramoera walkeri - a common subtidal gammarid amphipod

A gut analysis of specimens from each sample was completed to complement the feeding behaviour observations. In the second and third season, epibenthic samples were taken at weekly intervals. The samples were hand sorted and specimens were measured for length and weight, head length, total length, antennal segment number, sex, morpholigcal studies of the various stages of growth, growth studies, gut analysis and epizoan studies. 60 live animals were isolated individually and length and weight measurements were made each week.

Respiration experiments were conducted on groups of uniformly sized animals at various temperatures, light responses of different sized animals and notes on swimming and feeding behaviour were also taken. Samples of other amphipods and periphyton (food of Paramoera) were preserved. A complete sequence of animals from before they leave the brood pouch through to when they degenerate and die, and therefore a complete description of the structural and functional morphology of Paramoera walkeri, was completed.