Abstract
A microbalance is used to weigh animals while they are immersed in water held at constant temperature. Paired weighings of the same individual, done in waters of identical osmolality but differing in density, permit the use of Archimedes' principle to compute animal mass and volume. Body density and weight in water can be computed from these quantities. These measurements can be used directly for developmental and morphological studies, and as points of reference in ecological or physiological studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Alexander, R. McN. (1972). The energetics of vertical migration by fishes. Symp. Soc. exp. Biol. 26: 273–294
Anger, K., Harms, J., Montú, M., Bakker, C. (1989). Growth and respiration during the larval development of a tropical spider crab,Libinia ferreirae (Decapoda: Majidae). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 54: 43–50
Bidigare, R. R., Biggs, D. C. (1980). The role of sulphate exclusion in buoyancy maintenance by siphonophores and other oceanic gelatinous zooplankton. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 66A: 467–471
Bolger, T., Connolly, P. L. (1989). The selection of suitable indices for the measurement and analysis of fish condition. J. Fish Biol. 34: 171–182
Coombs, S. H. (1981). A density-gradient column for determining the specific gravity of fish eggs, with particular reference to eggs of the mackerelScomber scombrus. Mar. Biol. 63: 101–106
Fraser, A. J., Gamble, J. C., Sargent, J. R. (1988). Changes in lipid content, lipid class composition and fatty acid composition of developing eggs and unfed larvae of cod (Gadus morhua). Mar. Biol. 99: 307–313
Fraser, A. J., Sargent, J. R., Gamble, J. C., MacLachlan, P. (1987). Lipid class and fatty acid composition as indicators of the nutritional condition of larval Atlantic herring. Am. Fish. Soc. Symp. 2: 129–143
Giguère, L. A., Côtè, B., St. Pierre, J.-F. (1988). Metabolic rates scale isometrically in larval fishes. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 50: 13–19
Grigg, H., Holmes, L. J., Bardwell, S. J. (1989). Patterns of variation in the dry body weight ofCalanus finmarchicus in copepodite stage V during autumn and winter in the Firth of Clyde. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 69: 101–122
Håkanson, J. L. (1989). Analysis of lipid components for determining the condition of anchovy larvae,Engraulis mordax. Mar. Biol. 102: 143–151
Hinterleitner, S., Platzer, U., Wieser, W. (1987). Development of the activities of oxidative, glycolytic and muscle enzymes during early larval life in three families of freshwater fish. J. Fish Biol. 30: 315–326
Hislop, J. R. G., Bell, M. A. (1987). Observations on the size, dry weight and energy content of the eggs of some demersal fish species from British marine waters. J. Fish Biol 31: 1–20
Lowndes, A. G. (1942). The displacement method of weighing living aquatic organisms. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 25: 555–574
Mills, C. E. (1984). Density is altered in hydromedusae and ctenophores in response to changes in salinity. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 166: 206–215
Power, J. H. (1989). Sink or swim: growth dynamics and zooplankton hydromechanics. Am. Nat. 133: 706–721
Sanders, N. K., Childress, J. J. (1988). Ion replacement as a buoyancy mechanism in a pelagic deep-sea crustacean. J. exp. Biol. 138: 333–343
Spencer Davies, P. (1989). Short-term growth measurements of corals using an accurate buoyant weighing technique. Mar. Biol. 101: 389–395
Tanaka, Y. (1990). Change in the egg buoyancy of Japanese anchovyEngraulis japonicus during embryonic development. Nippon Suisan Gakk. 56: p. 165
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J.M. Lawrence, Tampa
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Power, J.H., Morrison, W.L. & Zeringue, J. Determining the mass, volume, density, and weight in water of small zooplankters. Mar. Biol. 110, 267–271 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313713
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01313713