Brey, Thomas, Rumohr, Heye and Ankar, Sven (1988) Energy content of macrobenthic invertebrates: general conversion factors from weight to energy. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 117 (3). pp. 271-278. DOI 10.1016/0022-0981(88)90062-7.

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Abstract

In ecological studies, especially in those dealing with energy circulation in nature, determinations of the energy content of organisms are inevitable. Energy determinations are, however, laborious and time-consuming. Average conversion factors based on different species form various areas and seasons may often be a shortcut for overcoming this problem. To establish general energy conversion factors for aquatic invertebrate groups, we used 376 values of J · mg−1 DW and 255 values of J · mg−1 AFDW, representing 308 and 229 species, respectively. The dry-weight-to-energy factors were highly variable both within and between taxonomic groups, e.g.: Porifera, 6.1 J · mg−1 DW; insect larvae, 22.4 J · mg−1 DW (median values). The energy-conversion factors related to AFDW showed a much smaller dispersion with a minimum median value of 19.7 J · mg−1 AFDW (Ascidiacea) and a maximum of 23.8 J · mg−1 AFDW (insect larvae). Within taxonomic groups, the 95% confidence intervals (AFDW) were only a few percent of the median values. The use of energy-conversion factors based on AFDW is preferable due to their lower dispersion. For aquatic macrobenthic invertebrates, a general conversion factor of 23 J · mg−1 AFDW can be used.

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