Feeding by the chaetognath, Sagitta elegans, at low temperatures in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts 1

Feeding rates were determined for S . elegans feeding in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, at a temperature of 0°C by applying a digestion time (10.2 h), obtained from laboratory observations, to an analysis of gut contents. The specific daily ration of large individuals was about 1–2% of body dry wt·d −1 , that of small chaetognaths (3.5 mm) was about 46%. Feeding rates for all but the smallest animals are similar to those predicted from respiration data; the smallest individuals consumed more than their estimated no‐growth requirements.