The Relationship Between Ingestion Rate of Deposit Feeders and Sediment Nutritional Value

摘要: Food resources of marine deposit feeders have been a subject intense investigation for many years, but it has only recently that some the details become apparent. Two general hypotheses dominated research in this field: first, non-living organic carbon including detritus cannot be utilized directly by feeders, must first he transformed into microbial biomass bacteria, fungi, and other microbes; second, resulting represents major food resource (for example, Newell 1965; Fenchel 1970; Hargrave 1976; Lopez et al, 1977; Gerlach 1978). These two are no means independent each used to support other. However, as I pointed out previously (Canunen 1980a), order evaluate importance potential is necessary consider both rate at which ingested efficiency with assimilated. In terms nonliving carbon, we an abundance data on ingestion rates 1980b), very little quantitative assimilation efficiencies; situation exactly inverse, numerous studies feeder efficiencies Zhukhova 1963; Kofoed 1975; Yingst al. Cammen few (Wetzel Jensen Siegismund 1980; Canunen 1980a). Yet, somehow qualitative showing generally low or high microbes combined suggest source microbes—the information largely ignored. Recently, however, several taken account concluded bacteria can minor budgets animals. fact, one ever shown any uses fraction its nutritional requirements. Thus, question how much matter contributes nutrition more important. Unfortunately, difficult address since make even significant (Cammen 1980a; Levinton 1980) current methods measure degree accuracy.