Effect of growth rate of the food alga on the growth/ingestion efficiency of a marine herbivore

Abstract

The chlorophycean alga, Brachiomonas submarina var. pulsifera Droop, was grown in two bacteria-free chemostats, differing only in the amount of light each received. Investigations were made into the changes in biochemical composition and calorific value of the cells when they were grown at different growth rates. This information was used to help to explain changes in the growth efficiency of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Miiller, grown in a bacteria-free chemostat which was linked to one of the algal chemostats, the algae being supplied as the source of food.