IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Laboratory culture of the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi with notes on feeding and fecundity
Baker, L.D.; Reeve, M.R. (1974). Laboratory culture of the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi with notes on feeding and fecundity. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 26(1): 57-62. dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00389086
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Feeding
    Laboratory culture
    Properties > Biological properties > Fecundity
    Mnemiopsis mccradyi Mayer, 1900 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Baker, L.D.
  • Reeve, M.R.

Abstract
    Collection and culture of the large lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis mccradyi Mayer is described, including the requirements for successful development of larvae. Particular attention must be given to the collection of these delicate animals, the handling and provision of live microzooplankton of suitable size for the larvae, and the provision of food densities for the adults which neither stimulate "wasteful" feeding nor limit their growth. Although these ctenophores will ingest detritus and algal cells in high concentration, they lost weight at the same rate as starved individuals unless provided with living zooplankton. Under optimum conditions, specimens would lay eggs within 13 days of their own birth. By the 17th day they laid eggs daily, and had produced an average of 8,000 eggs within 23 days after birth. The maximum number of eggs laid by a single wild individual within 24 h after being brought into the laboratory was 10,000. Their high fecundity, rapid generation time, and ability to self-fertilize help to explain their sudden appearance in bloom proportions at periods of high food concentration in the environment, often referred to in the literature.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors