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Ecological energetics of populations of four sympatric isopods in a Hong Kong forest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Paul K. S Lam ,
David Dudgeon  and
Herbert H. T. Ma
Paul K. S Lam
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
David Dudgeon
Affiliation:
Department of zoology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Herbert H. T. Ma
Affiliation:
Department of zoology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Abstract

Population energy budgets of four sympatric isopods, Burmoniscus ocellatus, Burmoniscus sp. (Philosciidae), Formosillo raffaelei and Orodillo maculatus (Armadillidac), were calculated at two sites in a Hong Kong mixed forest. Mean population standing stock of the four species ranged from 1.25 to 13.61 kj m-2. Mean total isopod biomass at the two sites was 0.85 and 1.85g m-2. Annual production of the four species varied from 4.24 to 30.43 kj m-2 with 5.2–26.4% (energy content) allocated to reproduction. Annual production of the four species combined at the two sites was 23.22 and 50.15kJ m-2. ratios varied from 2.24 to 4.27. Annual population consumption on mixed litter by the four isopod species ranged from 28.4 to 183.0 kj m-2. Total annual consumption by all species at the two sites was 233.7 and 360.2 kj m-2 (1.96 and 2.53% of annual litter fall). Isopod respiratory rales were proportional to body weight, with an exponent ranging from 0.68–0.78 at 23°C. The annual population metabolism of the four species varied from 14.62 to 86.11 kj m-2. Total annual isopod metabolism at the two sites was 116.33 and 185.95 kj m-2. These results are discussed with reference to the role of isopods in litter breakdown and energy flow in the Hong Kong forest.

Keywords

ArmadillidaeenergybudgetisopodsHong KonglittermetabolismPhilosciidaepopulation
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , November 1991 , pp. 475 - 490
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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