Metabolic levels and microhabitat of an interstitial cephalocarid and micro-isopod

摘要: . Oxygen consumption rates were assessed for two meiobenthic crustaceans inhabiting a subtidal sandflat at Carrie Bow Cay, Barrier Reef of Belize. The micro-isopod Microcharon sabulumKensley 1984 was confined to the surface substrate layers. Lightiella incisaGooding 1963 (Cephalocarida) occurred in deeper strata below redox potential discontinuity layer. Respiration measured using “Stoppered Cartesian Diver” method norm­oxic conditions. aim obtain information on metabolic level representative conservative crustacean taxon, Cephalocarida, and check whether hypothesis lower levels benthic animals occurring anoxic sediment is also applicable this group. results obtained show that weight-specific weight-scaled respiration are same range as values Microcharon. This indicates under normoxic conditions no “capacity” adaptation form controlled rate occurs Lightiella. contrast situation nematodes gnathostomulids living or