Gut residence time (GRT) is often reported to be extremely variable among crustaceans. In this study, GRT was measured in tethered mysids that were fed continuously, and appearance of the first faecal pellet was found to be quite consistent averaging 1.6 h. There was no significant difference between GRT in those mysids held singly and those accompanied by free-swimming conspecifics, even though previous studies have shown metabolic benefits in social behaviour. Gut residence time data from a range of pelagic crustaceans feeding continuously showed a clear linear relationship with size. It appears that, when feeding ceases and crustaceans are allowed to clear their guts in filtered water, GRT can be very long and variable. However, when feeding is continuous, GRT can be relatively short and consistent. © 2008 Marine Biological Association in the United Kingdom.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Ecology
Research Field:	Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences
UTAS Author:	Ritz, DA (Associate Professor David Ritz)
ID Code:	51469
Year Published:	2008
Web of Science® Times Cited:	4
Deposited By:	Zoology
Deposited On:	2008-03-31
Last Modified:	2011-11-21
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