Feeding ecology of benthic filter-feeders at Potter Cove, an Antarctic coastal ecosystem.

TATIÁN MARCOS; SAHADE RICARDO; GUILLERMO MERCURI; VERÓNICA FUENTES; JULIETA ANTACLI; ALEXIA STELLFELDT; GRACIELA ESNAL

POLAR BIOLOGY

Springer

Año: 2008 vol. 31 p. 509 - 517

0722-4060

A rich benthic Wlter-feeding community is present at Potter Cove, South Shetland, in spite of some usually unfavorable conditions aVecting their feeding ecology, such as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the at Potter Cove, South Shetland, in spite of some usually unfavorable conditions aVecting their feeding ecology, such as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the Wlter-feeding community is present at Potter Cove, South Shetland, in spite of some usually unfavorable conditions aVecting their feeding ecology, such as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the Vecting their feeding ecology, such as low phytoplankton production in summer and high sedimentation rates. However, organic material that could fuel the benthic system, such as macroalgal fragments, was detected in the water-bottom interface year-round. Mean assimilation eYciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the Yciency of several sizes of macroalgal particles under diVerent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the Verent inorganic particulate percentages varied between 26–51% in a clam, and 26–72% in two ascidian species. Estimated particle Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the Xux (feces) produced by ascidians varied according to species and abundance. The C:N ratio of feces was relatively high. Plasticity and proWt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the the available food sources contribute to the success of the Wt from the available food sources contribute to the success of the Wlter-feeding community in Potter Cove.lter-feeding community in Potter Cove.