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Quantitative Biology, Populations and Evolution, q-bio.PE,Quantitative Biology, Quantitative Methods, q-bio.QM
Abstract:
To evaluate the influence of temperature on metabolic performance on the
invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, we exposed fully acclimatized adults to
conditions typical for the annual variability of the Western Baltic Sea region.
We derived basal metabolic rates from oxygen consumption rates of adult M.
leidyi specimens exposed to temperatures between 3.5{\deg}C to 20.5{\deg}C at a
salinity of 22. We found a Q10 value of 3.67, which means that the carbon
specific respiration rates are about 9 times greater at 20{\deg}C than
3{\deg}C. According to this rate, a small-sized individual 20 mm in oral-aboral
length, would without feeding have enough nutrient reserves to survive 80 days
at 3{\deg}C, but only 9 days at 20{\deg}C. Thus, prey availability during late
summer is critical for M. leidyi population survival.
