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A comparison of carbon based ammonia excretion rates between gelatinous and non-gelatinous zooplankton: Implications and consequences

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Abstract

About 560 literature data on weight-specific ammonia excretion rates of gelatinous zooplankton (cnidarians, ctenophores and salps) and non-gelatinous zooplankton (mainly crustacea) were converted to carbon based units to enabel a better comparison between both groups. If carbon is used as body-mass unit ammonia excretion rates of gelatinous zooplankton are in the same range as values obtained for other zooplankton taxa, indicating a similar nitrogen output per unit of organic matter in both groups. These results suggest nutrient regeneration potential to be the same in gelatinous and non-gelatinous zooplankton, and that nutrient regeneration within the pelagic system depends more upon the carbon biomass ratio between gelatinous and other zooplankton than on physiological differences.

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  1. Institut für Meereskunde an der Universität Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-2300, Kiel, FRG

    G. Schneider

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  1. G. Schneider
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Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

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Schneider, G. A comparison of carbon based ammonia excretion rates between gelatinous and non-gelatinous zooplankton: Implications and consequences. Mar. Biol. 106, 219–225 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314803

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