CALORIFIC VALUES OF BENTHIC MARINE ALGAE AND THEIR POSTULATED RELATION TO INVERTEBRATE FOOD PREFERENCE

Data are given on the kcal/g dry weight, percent ash, and kcal/ash-free g of dry weight for 1 marine diatom species, 70 macroscopic benthic algae, and 1 marine tracheophyte species. For 41 of these, the data have also been converted to kcal/g wet weight. Calorific values, though relatively homogeneous within genera, appear to be influenced by phyletic affinity, water purity, or depth of immersion, and such ecological properties as growth form, generation time, and relative susceptibility to herbivory. Seasonal factors, portion of the plant combusted and growth rate appear to have little effect. The food preferences of various invertebrate herbivores seem to have evolved more in response to an availability factor than to absolute food value. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.