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Effect of low salinity on the activity, feeding, growth and absorption efficiency of Luidia clathrata (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

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Abstract

Exposure of Luidia clathrata (Say) to low salinity (17‰ S) results in a decrease in activity and rate of feeding, but has little effect on the absorption efficiency. Growth, as indicated by changes in body size and energy content of the body wall and pyloric caeca, is reduced in low salinity due to a decrease in feeding rate (energy consumption) and to a decrease in efficiency of utilization of material and energy absorbed. The low efficiency indicates that either additional energy is required for maintenance or energy is used inefficiently in low salinity. Thus, L. clathrata is limited energetically in low salinities, although it lives and reproduces there.

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Author notes

  1. D. Forcucci

    Present address: National Park Service, Channel Islands National Park, U.S. Department of the Interior, 93001, Ventura, California, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of South Florida, 33620, Tampa, Florida, USA

    D. Forcucci & J. M. Lawrence

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  1. D. Forcucci
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  2. J. M. Lawrence
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Communicated by J. M. Lawrence, Tampa

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Forcucci, D., Lawrence, J.M. Effect of low salinity on the activity, feeding, growth and absorption efficiency of Luidia clathrata (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Marine Biology 92, 315–321 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392671

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