Vital rate measurements and carbon and nitrogen contents of Temora longicornis under different nutrient regimes

Copepods fed with nitrogen-depleted diatoms (Diat-), which had the most different C:N ratio to that of T. longicornis, had high metabolic losses and low growth. In contrast, copepods fed with nitrogen-rich dinoflagellates (Dino+) of closer C:N ratio had high metabolic losses, but the highest investment into somatic and reproductive tissue. The results indicate that, under the current climate scenario and nutrient-replete conditions, dinoflagellates are a better food source for T. longicornis.

Furthermore, ingestion, respiration, and faecal pellet integrity are adversely affected by low quality food; and egestion is a main pathway in copepods for eliminating excess carbon.