Adaptive strategies that reduce predation on Caribbean spiny lobster postlarvae during onshore transport

Article Abstract:

Night predation of Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) planktonic postlarvae at the surface and at the bottom in coastal habitats close to typical offshore-inshore transport paths has been compared using field and mesocosm experiments. Predation rates were studied for differences between lunar periods and differences related to prey density. Daytime predation on pigmented and transparent postlarvae has been measured in seagrass, coral reef, and macroalgal habitats. One hypothesis was that new-moon transport of postlarvae might have evolved as a way to avoid higher predation under the bright light of the full moon. Mortality was greatest over coral reefs, no matter what the lunar phase, but it was lower near the shore, especially near the surface in the bay at the time of the new moon. No one behavior is good for all costal habitats, but combined, various strategies work to reduce predation for heterogeneous environments.

United States, Caribbean Region, Adaptation (Biology), Evolutionary adaptation, Coral reef ecology, Coral reef ecosystems, Spiny lobsters

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Absorption efficiencies and biochemical fractionation of assimilated compounds in the cold water appendicularian Oikopleura vanhoeffeni

Article Abstract:

The absorbtion efficiency of diatom carbon for the cold water appendicularian Oikopleura vanhoeffeni was studied using radioisotope dual-labelling. Body size and ingestion rate did not influence the absorption efficiency of bulk carbon. The plankton's food and feces were divided into their biological constituents, enabling researchers to calculate absorption efficiencies of each fraction.

Canada, Observations, Zooplankton, Absorption, Oceanographic research

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