IR Home
MEPS
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Subscribe
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
ESEP Books
Order
EEIU Brochures
(pdf format)
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
 | |
MEPS 248:141-163 (2003)
|
Abstract
|
Individual growth model for the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica
Franck Touratier1,*, François Carlotti2, Gabriel Gorsky3
1Université de Perpignan, 52, avenue de Villeneuve, 66860 Perpignan, France
2Université Bordeaux 1, UMR 5805, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Biologique, Station Marine d'Arcachon, 2, rue du Professeur Jolyet, 33120 Arcachon, France
3LOV, UMR 9073, Station Zoologique, Observatoire Océanologique, BP 28, 06234 Villefranche sur Mer, France
*Email: touratie@univ-perp.fr
ABSTRACT: A model of individual growth simulating the development of the main compartments and processes involved in the ecophysiology of the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica is presented. O. dioica is one of the 5 most frequent larvacean
species inhabiting European seas, and laboratory studies are available for comparison with model outputs. Individual growth and interactions with the external medium are described by state variables and fluxes of C and N, using the stoichiometric
approach. Three forcing variables control the animal's growth: temperature, food quantity, and food quality (i.e. C:N ratio and size of particles). Model outputs are compared to experimental data to analyse (1) the effect of food quantity and quality on
trunk length; (2) the influence of temperature on trunk length, generation time, respiration, excretion and house production rate; (3) the variability of the filtration rate under different conditions of temperature, food quantity and food quality.
Results of the model are coherent with most observations, and validation of the model was successful.
KEY WORDS: Appendicularia · Ecophysiology · Modelling · Carbon · Nitrogen
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
248
(2003) on February 20
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2003
|
