The trophic linkage between zooplankton and benthic suspension feeders: direct evidence from analyses of bivalve faecal pellets
Wong, W.H.; Levinton, J.S. (2006). The trophic linkage between zooplankton and benthic suspension feeders: direct evidence from analyses of bivalve faecal pellets. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 148(4): 799-805. hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s00227-005-0096-0
In: Marine Biology. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Wong, W.H.
- Levinton, J.S.
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| Abstract |
Using radiotracer (14C) and microscopic observation, we demonstrated that mussels (Mytilus edulis and Perna viridis) could be predators of mesozooplankton (rotifer Brachionus plicatilis). At radio-labelled rotifer densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 individual ml-1, faecal pellets of mussels showed different degrees of radio signals and most of the faecal pellets were expelled 4 h after pulse feeding on rotifers. The maximum gut retention time (GRT) of 14C-labelled rotifers in the digestive diverticula did not o show any significant difference between the two mussel species or the different densities of rotifers, and the averaged GRT was 43.4±3.06 h (mean ± SE). At a rotifer density of 4.5 individual ml-1, rotifer lorica pieces and rotifer bodies without eggs were found in faeces of M. edulis, while in the pseudofaeces, only complete rotifer bodies were found. |
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