Short-term effects of enhanced zinc concentrations on population parameters of Dinophilus gyrociliatus (polychaeta)

Survival and fecundity data, recorded in experimental populations of the ar chiannelid polychaete Dinophilus gyrociliatus were used to investigate the life-table response to enhanced zinc concentrations. Results evidencing a d ecrease of net reproductive rate (Ro), stable rate of population increase ( r) and reduction of generation time (T), highlight a complex effect of zinc , in which reduction of fecundity is compensated by the concomitant decreas e of generation time.