Audrey Wise, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Class Year:

1999

Mentor:

Denise Breitburg Ph.D.

Abstract:

The effects of nutrients on the higher trophic levels within estuarine systems is not completely known. This study will determine the effects of zooplankton densities on the growth rates of ctenophores. It was found that smaller ctenophores were not affected by increased zooplankton abundances. However zooplankton density did have an effect on larger ctenophores studied. It was found that small ctenophores grow more than large ones, therefore there is a size effect on growth rates.

Location:

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center