Fate of copepod faecal pellets and the role ofOithonaspp

Because the downward flux of zooplankton faecal pellets (FP) measured in sediment traps is typically lower than FP production in overlaying waters, it is inferred that FP are recycled. One suggested explanation for low export fluxes of FP is retention through processes such as FP ingestion (copropha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine ecology. Progress series (Halstenbek) 2005-12, Vol.304, p.265-270
Main Authors: Reigstad, Marit, Riser, Christian Wexels, Svensen, Camilla
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon
Coprophagy
Diatoms
Diet
Food
Marine ecosystems
Plankton
Respiration
Stair risers
Zooplankton
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Summary:Because the downward flux of zooplankton faecal pellets (FP) measured in sediment traps is typically lower than FP production in overlaying waters, it is inferred that FP are recycled. One suggested explanation for low export fluxes of FP is retention through processes such as FP ingestion (coprophagy) and FP fragmentation (coprorhexy). It has become accepted that the globally important cyclopoid copepodOithonaspp. are one of the main organisms causing high retention of copepod FP, however, the experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis is limited. We conducted 3 experiments to test whether the raptorial feedingOithonaspp. removed sinking FP material produced byCalanus finmarchicuseither by grazing or fragmentation. No such evidence was found. We therefore suggest that alternative explanations for pellet recycling should be sought. We believe thatOithonaspp. may be indicator species for a ’retention ecosystem’, but they are probably not the single factor explaining FP retention in the world oceans.
ISSN:0171-8630
1616-1599