Effect of Decompression on Mesopelagic Gelatinous Zooplankton: A Comparison of In-Situ and Shipboard Measurements of Metabolism

Authors

T. G. Bailey, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc
Joseph J. Torres, University of South FloridaFollow
M. J. Youngbluth, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc
G. P. Owen, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-1994

Keywords

Gelatinous zooplankton, Metabolism, Pressure

Abstract

Weight- and carbon-specific rates of respiration for 4 mesopelagic gelatinous zooplankton (2 ctenophores, 1 trachymedusa and 1 pelagic holothurian) measured in situ were 2 to 5 times higher than those from shipboard incubations. These results support the theory that removal of deep-living gelatinous species from natural environments can adversely affect their metabolism. The disparity between in situ and shipboard treatments is most simply explained by an interaction between pressure and activity, i.e. a loss of motor activity due to decompression occurred among animals used in shipboard experiments.

Rights Information

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Marine Ecology - Progress Series, v. 113, p. 13-27

Copyright © 1994 Inter-Research.

Scholar Commons Citation

Bailey, T. G.; Torres, Joseph J.; Youngbluth, M. J.; and Owen, G. P., "Effect of Decompression on Mesopelagic Gelatinous Zooplankton: A Comparison of In-Situ and Shipboard Measurements of Metabolism" (1994). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 116.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/116