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Biomass And Nutrient Flux Measurements On Holothuria Atra Populations On Windward Reef Flats At Enewetak, Marshall Islands, Kenneth L. Webb, William D. Dupaul, Christopher F. D'Elia

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

A population survey of the holothurian, Holothuria atra, on the interisland coral reefs of Enewetak revealed average animal densities of about 3 animals m-2 in the zone of small coral heads, Median fresh weighy was 60 g, The size distribution of these animals was negatively correlated with water velocity along the reef.

Ammonia release rates for three species of holothurians, H. atra, H. difficilus and Actinopyga mauritina were weight specific, The release of annnonia by H. atra on Transect II was equivalent to 9% of the total amnnonia exported from the reef proper. The release of phosphorus followed the general …

Biomass And Nutrient Flux Measurements On Holothuria Atra Populations On Windward Reef Flats At Enewetak, Marshall Islands, C. F. D'Elia, K. L. Webb

VIMS Books and Book Chapters

Although it is reasonably well established that corals symbiotic with endozoic algae (the zooxanthellae) are capable of "multitrophic" (1) existence, we are still a long way away from evaluating the relative importance of the various trophic pathways (2). There is no question that zooplankton provide a source of materials and energy to corals, yet there is doubt whether zooplankton are plentiful enough to supply all the needs for these essentials (3). There appear to be alternate sources of supply. Sufficient energy is likely to be available to the symbiotic association by virtue of the photosynthetic capacity of the zooxanthellae (4); …