SGER: Laboratory Studies on the Influence of Small-Scale Turbulance on Encounter and Feeding of Aquatic Predators

托马斯米勒博士及其同事将开发、建造和测试一种新型装置，该装置产生的小规模湍流与在沿海海洋中观察到的湍流具有相似的特征。 在开发的设备的目的是提供的能力，以测试假设的作用，小规模的湍流调节的摄食生态的捕食者。 这种能力将大大提高我们理解小规模物理过程影响海洋生命的作用的能力。 该装置的两个版本将被构造成体积不同。 为了测试仪器的功效，将使用声学和激光多普勒速度计表征装置中的流场。 记录小尺度湍流对捕食者觅食的影响的能力取决于量化觅食行为的能力。三维视频将被用来量化捕食者和猎物的行为。 计划中的初步研究将由这笔探索性研究的小额赠款促进，重点是四个问题：a）我们能否仅从视频图像准确测量猎物浓度？B）我们能从录像中估计攻击和遭遇的比率吗？c）我们能从录像中估计摄食率吗？和d）我们能用我们的视频系统准确地测量猎物的行为吗？ 这些问题将在一系列控制实验中得到解决，这些实验涉及条纹鲈鱼幼虫、石鲈和作为捕食者的栉水母，以及卤虫无节幼体、卤虫，和Eurtemora sp.的桡足类作为猎物。 基于行为的估计，遭遇，攻击和进食率将进行比较，独立的估计来自分析室内捕食者的功能反应。

Dr. Thomas Miller and associates will develop, construct and test a novel apparatus that generates small-scale turbulence of similar characteristics to those observed in the coastal ocean. The objective in developing the apparatus is to provide the capability to test hypotheses regarding the role of small-scale turbulence in regulating the feeding ecology of planktonic predators. This capability will vastly improve out abilities to understanding the role of small-scale physical processes as they influence life in the sea. Two versions of the apparatus will be constructed that differ in volume. To test the efficacy of the instrumentation, the flow fields in the apparatus will be characterized using acoustic and laser doppler velocimeters. The ability to document the effects of small-scale turbulence on foraging of planktonic predators depends on the ability to quantify foraging behavior. 3-D videography will be used to quantify predator and prey behaviors. The planned initial research that will be facilitated by this small grant for exploratory research will focus on four questions: a) Can we accurately measure prey concentrations from video images alone?; b) Can we estimate rates of attack and encounter from video recordings?; c) Can we estimate feeding rates from video recordings?; and d) Can we accurately measure prey behavior with our video system? These questions will be addressed in a series of controlled experiments involving striped bass larvae, Morone saxatilis, and the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi as predators, and brine shrimp nauplii, Artemia sp., and copepodites of Eurtemora sp. as prey. Behavior-based estimates of encounter, attack and feeding rates will be compared with independent estimates derived from analyzes of the functional responses of predators within the chamber.