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The effects of body size, temperature, and suspension density on the filtration and ingestion of inorganic particulate suspensions by ascidians

1983; Elsevier BV; Volume: 70; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0022-0981(83)90149-1

1879-1697

Ian Robbins,

Marine and fisheries research

The filtration and ingestion of inorganic particulate suspensions by ascidians have been studied. Filtration rates of Ciona intestinalis (L.) and Ascidiella scabra (Müller) are inversely related to inorganic particulate suspension concentration. Over most of the range of concentrations examined the ingestion rate is constant and maximal. This is true of various size groups of Ciona intestinalis, the largest animals having the highest ingestion rates. The maximum ingestion rate of C. intestinalis is unaffected by temperature, although higher particulate concentrations are required to satiate animals at lower temperatures. A non-mathematical model of filter-feeding in ascidians is proposed.