Investigations of the effects of food type and temperature on the seasonal and annual growth of Macoma balthica / by Kate R. Meltzer.
| Author/creator | Meltzer, Kate R. author. |
| Other author | Clough, Lisa M., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2004. |
| Description | xi, 159 leaves : illustrations (some color), color maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | This thesis investigated the effects of food type and temperature on the growth of an Arctic population of the Baltic clam, Macoma balthica. Specifically a laboratory study was conducted on the response of shell growth, body protein concentration, and gut pigment concentration in Macoma balthica to two food types (ice algae and phytoplankton) at three food concentrations (2.5, 5, and 20æg chl al L), under an arctic spring (0°C) and summer (10°C) temperature scenario. Additionally, an eight year standard growth index (SGI) was determined from field collected M. balthica, and was compared to environmental variables from Kotzebue Sound, Alaska. Body protein concentrations in clams fed ice algae were 30% and 12% (in the 2.5 and 5æg chl al L food concentration, respectively) higher than in clams fed phytoplankton despite the fact that phytoplankton fed clams had higher gut pigments (40-67% higher chlorophyll a, 42- 63% higher pheopigment) at all food concentrations and at both temperatures. This suggests that there are fundamental differences between ice algae and phytoplankton and that ice algae may be a higher quality food source for soft tissue growth. The SGI was negatively correlated to average wind speed in July and percent ice cover in March, April to June, and June and was positively correlated with ice free days (<5% ice cover) during the growth year and in the fall. This suggests that M. balthica shell growth may be maximized during years of minimum ice coverage and coupled to phytoplankton which dominates during ice free periods, further suggesting that an ice free Arctic may be beneficial for shell growth. However the first experiment suggests that soft tissue growth may be coupled to ice algae which is dependant on ice cover, therefore a complete loss of ice may have negative impacts. The effects of climate change on the overall ecology of M. balthica require further research. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Lisa M. Clough |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2004 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-137). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |