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Role of bacteria in decomposition of faecal pellets egested by the epiphyte-grazing gastropod Gibbula umbilicaris

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Abstract

The significance of the microheterotrophic utilization of faecal pellets derived from Gibbula umbilicaris — one of the most important gastropod species in the Posidonia oceanica ecosystem around the Isle of Ischia (Italy) — was investigated by means of microcosm-experiments. Initial total organic carbon (TOC) content of faecal pellets was 32 μgC (mg faeces dry wt)-1 and declined continuously over a 2-month incubation period. The low values of TOC coincided with SEM observations of pellets which were found to consist mainly of diatom frustules and other slowly utilizable material. In a long-term experiment freshly egested faecal pellets were rapidly colonized by bacteria, which reached densities of up to 14x105 cells (mg faeces dry wt)-1 within 12 h. Thereafter bacterial numbers declined and fluctuated in a very narrow range between 2 and 3.5x105 cells (mg faeces dry wt)-1 during the two months of the investigation period. In short-term experiments (over 5 d) similar trends were observed. Peak densities of attached bacteria were followed by a decline of this population. Concurrently the number of free-living bacteria increased. This observation was confirmed by O2 consumption measurements of freshly egested faecal pellets over 24 h, where the highest O2 consumption rates were obtained after 12 h, followed by a rapid decline, thus supporting the view that detachment of bacteria may occur. Moreover, the respiration data indicate that about 4% of faecal TOC are remineralized within the first day.

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  1. Institute for Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    P. Peduzzi & G. J. Herndl

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  1. P. Peduzzi
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  2. G. J. Herndl
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Peduzzi, P., Herndl, G.J. Role of bacteria in decomposition of faecal pellets egested by the epiphyte-grazing gastropod Gibbula umbilicaris . Marine Biology 92, 417–424 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392682

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