THE ECOLOGY OF CAPITELLA-CAPITATA IN LAGOS LAGOON, NIGERIA

A study of the seasonal and spatial distribution of the population of the polychaete Capitella capitata CLAPAREDE was conducted from February 1985 to December 1986. Its abundance was shown to be influenced by silt-clay, organic matter, sediment metals and hydrocarbon content at three sites, two of which received domestic and industrial wastes. The species occurred at low densities (1 to 20 m2), at most parts of the lagoon while higher densities (3 to 435 m2) were recorded at sites which contained high levels of silt, organic matter, metals and total hydrocarbons. Breeding occurred throughout the year with peaks in July to February. Adults exhibited a polytelic pattern of reproduction. Annual production estimates ranged between 2.2917 and 5.8957 mgm-2yr-1 while P:B ratio varied between 0.12 and 0.33.