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Respiration rates and biovolumes of common benthic Foraminifera (Protozoa)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

Fiona Hannah
Affiliation:
University Marine Biological Station, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, KA28 OEG
Rew Rogerson
Affiliation:
University Marine Biological Station, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, KA28 OEG
Johanna Laybourn-Parry
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Victoria 3083, Australia

Abstract

The respiration rates of five genera of benthic Foraminifera were determined by Cartesian diver microrespirometry. Across all genera studied, the rate averaged 11·3×10−3 μl O2 individual−1 h−1 at 10°C. Estimates of foraminiferal mean biovolumes ranged from 0·66 to 6·54×106μm3, giving an overall mean volume-specific respiration rate of 7·36 × 10−9 μl O2 h−1 μm−3. For non-symbiont-bearing Foraminifera, in general, volume-specific rates (log μl O2 h−1 μm3) are best described by the equation, −0·98 × (log cell biovolume, μm3)−2·01. The respiration results show that these benthic Foraminifera respire some ten times more rapidly than naked amoebae of equivalent size. The combination of high respiratory rates and the often large standing stocks of Foraminifera encountered, suggests that these organisms may contribute significantly to total microbial benthic respiration.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1994

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