Gut evacuation and absorption efficiency of walleye larvae |
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Authors: | T A Johnston J A Mathias † |
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Institution: | Department of Zoology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada;Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Central and Arctic Region, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Cr., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N6, Canada |
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Abstract: | Gut evacuation and absorption efficiency in zooplanktivorous walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae (10–19 mm; 0.53–6.8 mg dry weight) were examined in the laboratory. The decline in dry weight of whole digestive tract contents was examined at 15, 20, and 25) C in discontinuous feeding larvae. The observed relationship between short-term evacuation rate and gut fullness indicated that evacuation approximated most closely an exponential decline. When gut evacuation rate, R , was calculated as the slope of loge gut fullness v . time there were significant effects of temperature and walleye size on R . Gut evacuation rate was higher at 20° C than at 15 or 25° C and declined with increasing walleye dry weight. Absorption efficiency at 20° C was examined by qualitative analysis of food and faeces. Apparent digestibility, D a, of crustacean zooplankton increased with gut retention time and declined with walleye dry weight. Maximum D a was estimated to be 79% of organic matter from food retained in the gut for 6 h. |
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Keywords: | Stizostedion vitreum digestion assimilation temperature body size |
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