Can zooplankton secondary production models predict growth in the marine mysid Leptomysis lingvura (G.O. Sars, 1866)?

Abstract

Zooplankton growth and secondary production are key input parameters in marine ecosystem models, but their direct measurement is difficult to make. Accordingly, zooplanktologists have developed several statistical-based secondary production models. Here, three of these secondary production models are tested in the marine mysid Leptomysis lingvura (Mysidacea, Crustacea). Mysid length was measured in two cultures twice a day, which were grown on two different food concentrations. Growth rates ranged from 0.11 to 0.64 day-1, while secondary production rates ranged from 1.77 to 12.23 mg dry- mass day-1. None of the three selected models were good predictors of growth and secondary production in this mysid species.