Linke, Peter (1992) Metabolic adaptations of deep-sea benthic foraminifera to seasonally varying food input. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 81 . pp. 51-63.

Preview

Text Linke 1992.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

ATP content and metabolic activity of benthic foraminifera were determined from deepsea
sediments of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. Metabolic activity was analysed by measurements of Electron Transport System (ETS] activity and heat production. This, combined with live observations, revealed 2 survival strategies. Ruperlina stabilis, an obligate suspension feeder, is adapted to conditions in which it receives a steady input of particles throughout the year, enabling it to maintain a relatively high ATP content (153 f 23 ng ATP ind.-l) with a reduced ATP turnover rate (0.008 S-'). In
contrast Cribrostomoides subglobosum, Pyrgo rotalaria and Rhabdammina abyssorum undergo large (up to 10-fold) fluctuations in seasonal values of ATP and heat production, but retain a high, relatively constant ATP turnover rate (i.e. seconds). Such a rapid turnover allows these foraminifera to take quick advantage of sudden nutrient inputs; this state of readiness, however, is maintained at the cost of the protoplasm, which benthic foraminifera are apparently capable of metabolizing in times of starvation. C. subglobosum and P rotalaria responded to several sedimentation events with an increase in ETS activ~tys;i ngle cells sometimes showed extremely high ATP values (50- to 100-fold increase), reflecting an individual physiological response to food input to the deep-sea.

Actions (login required)

View Item