A general approach to the in situ energy budget of Eudendrium racemosum (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) in the Western Mediterranean

• Autores: Manuel Barangé, Mikel Zabala, Tecla Riera, Josep Maria Gili Sardà
• Localización: Scientia Marina, ISSN 0214-8358, Vol. 53, Nº. 2-3, 1989, págs. 423-427
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • An in situ energy budget of the hydropolyp Eudendrium racemosum (Cavolini, 1785) is presented. Ingestion and respiration rates and ammonium excretion were studied over two 24 h cycles, with two-hour sample intervals. The species ingested as much as 25.9% of its own biomass per day (minimum rate). Respiration was 1.62 ml O2 g-1 d w h-1 while excretion was 13.6 mM NH4 g-1dw h-1. We estimated that the species increased its biomass at a rate of 9.6% per day (Growth + Reproduction). This value is higher than those previously reported for other cnidarians. We can assume that the capacity of E. racemosum to survive - albeit for a limited period of the year - in the highly-competitive shallow-water communities is based on its high growth rate.