except in biologically active systems where it is 1.0 to 20. The turn- 

 over rate of phosphate may be more important than the phosphate con- 

 centration in maintaining highly productive systems. (A. A.) 



Keywords: residence time, mineral nutrition, coastal ecosystems 



III-F-2 



Kraeuter, J., and D.S. Haven. 1970. Fecal pellets of common invertebrates 



of lower York River and lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Chesapeake 



Science 11:159-173. 



Fecal pellets voided by 70 invertebrate species are described, 

 66 of these for the first time. Pellet size is related to size of 

 animals, and linear regressions are given for two species. Pellet 

 characteristics described are cross-sectional shape, sculpture, 

 differentiation, composition, and shape. The morphology is specific 

 for many animals. However, certain species void feces that are 

 (1) diffuse, (2) morphologically inconsistent, or (3) lacking 

 in differentiating characteristics. (A. A.) 



Keywords: invertebrates, fecal pellets, Virginia 



III-F-3 



Frankenberg, D., S.L. Coles, and R.E. Johannes. 1967. The potential trophic 



significance of Callianassa major fecal pellets. Limnology and Oceanography 



12:113-120. 



The trophic significance of the fecal pellets of Callianassa 

 major was investigated by measuring (1) the rates at which fecal material 

 was produced, (2) its organic carbon and nitrogen content, and (3) 

 its ingestion by other animals. Results indicate that 456 + 118 

 fecal pellets are produced per burrow per day and from 175 +46 to 

 2,600 + 670 pellets m"^ day"^ , depending on population density, and 

 that an entire C^, major population occupying an area of about 

 200,000 m^ produces about 280 x 10° pellets/day. The carbon and 

 nitrogen contents of the pellets were 3.0 and 0.3 percent of their 

 dry weight, respectively. Aging the pellets had no effect on their 

 carbon content, but it halved the nitrogen content in 48 hours. 

 Ingestion experiments indicated that fecal pellets were eaten by 

 hermit crabs, probably by blue crabs, and possibly by several other 

 beach inhabitants. 



The results were used to calculate the rate at which organic carbon 

 is made available in fecal pellets, and thii rate was compared to 



141 



