Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

1994

University of South Florida

Gelatinous zooplankton

Articles 1 - 1 of 1

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Effect Of Decompression On Mesopelagic Gelatinous Zooplankton: A Comparison Of In-Situ And Shipboard Measurements Of Metabolism, T. G. Bailey, Joseph J. Torres, M. J. Youngbluth, G. P. Owen Oct 1994

Effect Of Decompression On Mesopelagic Gelatinous Zooplankton: A Comparison Of In-Situ And Shipboard Measurements Of Metabolism, T. G. Bailey, Joseph J. Torres, M. J. Youngbluth, G. P. Owen

Marine Science Faculty Publications

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.