Simulations of Energy Flow Through the Amictic Female Rotifer Brachionus rubens Ehrbg.

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Abstract
A model is developed (i) to integrate a set of experimental observations concerning the energy flow through the amictic female rotifer Brachionus rubens Ehrbg.; (ii) to identify inconsistencies in the data; (iii) to understand better the energy dynamics of this organism and the impact of the environment on it; and (iv) to determine the direction of further experimental and theoretical studies. Simulations of energy flow through this organism are generated for various concentrations of food (the alga Chlorella vulgaris), constant during its life span. It is shown that the experimental data for the immature female are self-consistent but that the experimental instantaneous values of total production for the mature female are undervalued. Consequently, Pilarska's instantaneous values of food assimilation and the instantaneous coefficients of energy conversion efficiency are undervalued for the mature female. Using sensitivity analysis we find that the model is highly sensitive to changes in (listed in order of importance) (i) the instantaneous value of food consumption, (ii) the instantaneous coefficient of food assimilation efficiency, (iii) the life span, and (iv) the egg calorific value. The model is relatively insensitive to changes in (i) the initial body calorific value, (ii) the age at maturity, (iii) the time interval between two successive acts of reproduction, and (iv) the instantaneous value of respiration. Specific parameters are identified as needing remeasurement.Key words: model, simulation, bioenergetics, growth, reproduction, rotifer, Brachionus rubens, sensitivity
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