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A simple device to transfer large and delicate planktonic organisms
Author(s) -
Acuňa José Luis,
Deibel Don,
Sooley Steve
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1994.39.8.2001
Subject(s) - jellyfish , plankton , zooplankton , biology , suction , pipette , simple (philosophy) , oceanography , ecology , geology , physics , chemistry , meteorology , philosophy , epistemology
A device to transfer large, delicate gelatinous zooplankton is described. Instead of using suction as conventional pipettes do, the macroplankton transfer device (MTD) encloses parcels of water, thus eliminating the turbulence that may damage gelatinous organisms. The MTD is of simple construction, is easy to use, and has proven effective with large (up to 10 cm) appendicularian tunicates, jellyfish, pteropods, and ctenophores. Without the MTD it has been difficult, in some cases impossible, to transfer these organisms without damage. We have used MTDs to perform shipboard feeding experiments on large appendicularians collected with plankton nets.