Abstract
The influence of temperature has been studied simultaneously on the pumping, filtration, and digestion rates of Phallusia mammillata (Cuvier, 1815). Eighteen experiments were made between 7° and 25°C on 5 individuals. The average velocities of the water current varied between 3.37 and 9.65 cm sec-1 (maximum 34.90 cm sec-1). No recognizable rhythm emerged; pumping was continuous except at 7°C, where it soon ceased. Above 20°C, the curves were irregular and reflected the high sensitivity of the ascidian. The pumping rate was highest at 15°C (mean=5,788 ml h-1 g-1 dry weight of organs). At 10°C, the mean was 3,560; at 20°C, 2,629 ml h-1 g-1 dry weight of organs. At 20°C, the coefficients of variation displayed higher values, indicating a more irregular pumping at this temperature. Although there was no filtration rhythm, the variability of the results was higher at 20°C and above. As for pumping, maximum values were observed at 15°C (mean=4,286 ml h-1 g-1 dry weight of organs) decreasing with lower and higher temperatures, such decreases being more marked at the higher temperatures. Means were 352 ml h-1 g-1 dry weight of organs at 7°C; 2,935 at 10°C; 1,995 at 20°C; 973 at 25°C. The mean temperature coefficients for the filtration rates were: Q10 for 7° to 15°C=11.86, Q10 for 10° to 20°C=0,66, Q10 for 15° to 25°C=0.22. The filtering efficiency was fairly constant throughout an experiment; the pumping and filtration curves were in fact almost parallel. The filtering efficiency of the branchial sac was high (75 to 85%), with constant values at 10° and 15°C; it became smaller (59%) at 20°C, with a higher coefficient of variation. The digestion rate also displayed maximum values at 15°C (mean=5.47 mg of albumin equivalent 24 h-1 g-1 dry weight of organs). It was lower at 10°C (mean=3.60 mg) and reached its minimum at 20°C (mean=1.71 mg). The higher temperature affected the percentage of food utilization, which showed smaller values at 20°C (59%) than at 10°C (89%) and 15°C (87%).
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Communicated by J.M. Pérès, Marseille
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Fiala Médioni, A. Filter-feeding ethology of benthic invertebrates (ascidians). V. Influence of temperature on pumping, filtration and digestion rates and rhythms in Phallusia mamillata . Mar. Biol. 48, 251–259 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397152
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397152