Analysis of a Benthic Community Food Web Using Isotopically Labelled Potential Food

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Abstract
A series of experiments was designed to reveal the trophic structure of a benthic community using kelp holdfasts as microcosms within the kelp-bed community. The experimental food comprised zooplankton represented by 3H2O-labeled Artemia sp. eggs and nauplii (200-300 .mu.m), detritus derived from 14C-labeled kelp (60-90 .mu.m), and phytoplankton represented by 14C-labeled Dunaliella primolecta (5-10 .mu.m) cultures. Separate experiments of short duration (1-2 h) were used to indicate the primary consumers on each type of food, while longer experiments (4, 8 and 16 h) suggested the secondary consumers (coprophagous and carnivorous species). Several species were omnivorous.
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