A state of the art on meiofaunal respiration and production
Moens, T.; Vincx, M. (1998). A state of the art on meiofaunal respiration and production, in: Dehairs, F.A. et al. (Ed.) Integrated Marine System Analysis. European Network for Integrated Marine System Analysis FWO Vlaanderen: Proceedings of the second network meeting (Brussels, May 29-31, 1997). pp. 347-361 In: Dehairs, F.A.; Elskens, M.; Goeyens, L. (Ed.) (1998). Integrated Marine System Analysis - European Network for Integrated Marine System Analysis FWO Vlaanderen: Proceedings of the second network meeting (Brussels, May 29-31, 1997). VUB. Laboratorium voor Analytische Chemie: Brussel. 376 pp., more |
| Available in | Authors | | Document type: Conference paper
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| Keywords | Aquatic communities > Benthos > Meiobenthos
Biological production
Respiration
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract | The aerobic respiration of meiofauna in general and of nematodes in particular is studied by means of manometric (Cartesian or related divers) or electrode-based (polarographic electrodes) techniques. The former allow highly accurate measurements on individual or small batches of nematodes, while the latter, less sensitive technique allows rapid and highly reproducible measurements under a variety of abiotic conditions.Nematode respiration is commonly described in a power relation R = aWb, where b averages 0.75 and a represents a measure of metabolic intensity. Published estimates of total nematode community respiration are scant, but seem to agree on an average value of 61 O2.yr-1.g-1 wet wt at 20°C.Not a single direct estimate of a marine nematode's production in the field exists. This is largely due to the continuous reproduction of many nematode species, creating significant overlap between subsequent generations. Estimates of production are commonly based on respiration measurements or on an annual P/B (production/biomass) ratio of nine, as derived from a single study on a single species. Since annual P/B may be as high as 69 in some fast-growing species, a generalized value of nine is invalid. A life cycle turnover of three, however, does appear more generally acceptable, and can be used as a basis for indirect production estimates.Published estimates of the magnitude of C-flows through the meiobenthos are few, but all point to a significant participation of nematodes in benthic energy tluxes. Perhaps the major sources of uncertainty in these budget calculations are 1) the virtual absence of information on anaerobic activity and metabolism in free-living marine nematodes, and 2) the extrapolation of data from mostly opportunistic and laboratory-cultured species to nematode communities in the field. |
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