ABSTRACT
Amphiura filiformis (O.F.Muller) is widely distributed in Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland. Regular sampling over a two year period (1.10.74 - 17.11.76) at a station of 20m depth, on a muddy sand substrate gave densities of up to 2,226/m with a mean density of 804.7/m2 ± 469.2. No significant change in density was discernible over the study period. The population was composed of large animals (disc diameter > 4.5mm) with smaller individuals never exceeding 6% of the total population. Breeding occurred in August/September. No evidence of discrete recruitment periods was observed. Stability of population density and size structure, combined with the low numbers of juveniles, suggest that the species is long-lived and polytelic.
