Abstract
Callista chione is the most prominent suspension-feeding bivalve species inhabiting the soft bottoms of the Bay of Banyuls-sur-Mer. Ingestion rates and absorption efficiencies when fed monospecific cultures of either phytoplankton (Pavlova lutheri) or bacteria (one natural strain isolated from the marine environment) were determined using 14C radioactive pulse–chase feeding experiments. Microalgae were ingested at a rate five to six times higher than bacteria (i.e. 2.31×10−3 against 0.40×10−3 mg DW mg SFDW−1 h−1). Such differences were attributed to differences in average particle sizes. Bacteria were also less absorbed than microalgae (i.e. 64.3 vs 83.8%). Together with existing data regarding the ratio of free to attached bacteria in the oceanographic environment, these results suggest that free bacteria probably contribute to meet only a small portion of the energy requirements of adult C. chione populations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
