The impact of small benthic passive suspension feeders in shallow marine ecosystems: the hydroids as an example
Gili, J.-M.; Alva, V.; Coma, R.; Orejas, C.; Pages, F.; Ribes, M.; Zabala, M.; Arntz, W.; Bouillon, J.; Boero, F.; Hughes, R.G. (1998). The impact of small benthic passive suspension feeders in shallow marine ecosystems: the hydroids as an example, in: den Hartog, J.C. et al. (Ed.) Commemorative volume for the 80th birthday of William Vervoort in 1997. pp. 99-105 In: den Hartog, J.C. et al. (Ed.) (1998). Commemorative volume for the 80th birthday of William Vervoort in 1997 . National Museum of Natural History: Leiden. ISBN 90-73239-68-0. 448 pp., more In: Zoologische Verhandelingen. Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie Leiden: Leiden. ISSN 0024-1652, more |  |
| Keywords | Hydrozoa [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Benthic passive suspension feeders; Shallow marine ecosystems; Hydroids |
| Authors | | Top | - Gili, J.-M.
- Alva, V.
- Coma, R.
- Orejas, C.
| - Pages, F.
- Ribes, M.
- Zabala, M.
- Arntz, W.
| - Bouillon, J., more
- Boero, F., more
- Hughes, R.G.
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| Abstract | Benthic suspension feeders are abundant in littoral and shallow sub-littoral ecosystems, where they feed on the plankton and on organic matter suspended in the water column. Recent studies indicate that active suspension feeders with powerful water filtration mechanisms (e.g., bivalve molluscs) may exert an important influence on the abundance and production of phytoplankton, and probably zooplankton as well. Passive suspension feeders, such as hydrozoans, have received less attention, and their effect on shallow planktonic communities is poorly understood. This paper presents evidence that hydrozoans, which make only a minor contribution to benthic community biomass, capture large amounts of zooplankton and seston, and that they may play an important role in transferring energy from pelagic to benthic ecosystems over a wide range of latitudes. |
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