The Influence of Moulting on the Ingestion Rate of an Isopod Crustacean

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Abstract
The variation in ingestion rate throughout 1 entire instar of the isopod I. baltica (Pallas) is described and compared with that suggested by Duncan and Klekowski for a generalized continuous feeder. Feeding is greatly inhibited during ecdysis, enhanced directly afterward, and diminishes slightly for the latter half of the molting cycle to a level that corresponds to the mean daily ingestion rate for the entire cycle. This fluctuation accounts for 86% of the residual variation in ingestion rate remaining after the influence of body length is removed. An increased ingestion rate immediately following ecdysis probably ensures that sufficient minerals are available for rapid calcification of the new integument.
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