Limnol. Oceanogr., 39(8), 1994, 2001-2003
Copyright 1994, by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Inc.

Acuña, J.-L., D. Deibel and S. Sooley

A simple device to transfer large and delicate planktonic organisms

Abstract - A device to transfer large, delicate gelatinous zooplankton is described. Instead of using suction as conventional pipettes do, the macroplankton transfer device (MTD) encloses parcels of water, thus eliminating the turbulence that may damage gelatinous organisms. The MTD is of simple construction, is easy to use, and has proven effective with large (up to 10 cm) appendicularian tunicates, jellyfish, pteropods, and ctenophores. Without the MTD it has been difficult, in some cases impossible, to transfer these organisms without damage. We have used MTDs to perform shipboard feeding experiments on large appendicularians collected with plankton nets.