Responses of the mysid Archaeomysis grebnitzkii to phytoplankton and kelp diets

Abstract

The mysid Archaeomysis grebnitzkii is an important detritovore and prey in many food webs. In this experiment A. grebnitzkii was feed phytoplankton, blended fresh kelp, and blended aged kelp for 15 days while growth and diet preference were measured. Growth was measured as a molt rate and condition index. The preference was measured by the absorbance of chlorophyll a in solution. Unfortunately, growth was not observed in any of the treatments and chlorophyll a did not provide any indication of preference for a specific diet. Of all the treatments fresh kelp had the least molts and the lowest condition index. A strong negative response to fresh kelp particles was recorded.