Occurrence of Spadella cephaloptera During One Year at Ischia Island (Gulf of Naples)

Abstract. The life cycle of the benthic arrowworm, Spadella cephaloptera , which inhabits the Posidonia meadow at Ischia (Gulf of Naples, Italy), was examined by a one-year systematic sampling survey and by laboratory culture. The seasonal fluctuations in abundance and the reproductive characteristics indicate that there were two generations of S. cephaloptera in one year; these generations have a different life span. The habitat of S. cephaloptera depends on the growth of the Posidonia meadow; the influence of different factors on the S. cephaloptera population, especially of the Posidonia vagile fauna, is discussed.