Collaborative Research: Mangrove Detritus: Sink or Link?

碎屑存在于所有的水生生态系统中， 关于它在支持 大型生物的生长，如无脊椎动物和鱼类。 例如，红树林碎屑可能不被直接利用， 但它可能支持丰富的微生物组合， 最终支持虾的生长。这项研究将测试 假设基于红树林碎屑的食物网是重要的 支持对虾幼体的生长。 的 拟议中的研究将在哥斯达黎加的一个河口进行， 那里有大型捕虾场和生物站。 尽管早期的胃部分析研究强调 红树林碎屑对支持虾生长重要性， 最近的研究对此提出了质疑。 以帮助解决此 争议、胃内容物和稳定同位素（C、N和S） 将进行分析和围隔实验， 虾的生长和可能的食物链同位素分馏。通过 结合无脊椎动物生物学、微生物学和 通过地球化学，我们有可能确定其最终来源。 初级生产（红树林、浮游植物或底栖藻类） 支持幼虾的生长。这项研究也将 研究微生物循环，这里是由红树林支持的， 碎屑，是较高生物量生产的源或汇。 营养水平

Detritus is present in all aquatic ecosystems and yet there is still much debate about its importance in supporting the growth of large organisms, such as invertebrates and fish. For example, mangrove detritus may not be utilized directly by shrimp but it may support a rich microbial assemblage that ultimately supports shrimp growth. This study will test the hypothesis that the foodweb based on mangrove detritus is important in supporting the growth of post-larval penaeaid shrimp. The proposed research will be carried out in a Costa Rican estuary which has large shrimp fisheries and a biological station. Although early studies using stomach analysis emphasized the importance of mangrove detritus in supporting shrimp growth, more recent studies have challenged this. To help resolve this controversy, stomach contents and stable isotope (C, N and S) analysis and mesocosm experiments will be conducted to examine shrimp growth and possible food chain isotope fractionation. By combining tools in invertebrate biology, microbiology and geochemistry it may be possible to determine the ultimate source of primary production (mangroves, phytoplankton or benthic algae) supporting growth of postlarval shrimp. This research will also examine whether the microbial loop, here supported by mangrove detritus, is a source or sink for the biomass production of higher trophic levels.