Tóm tắt
The main results obtained at the Borok Institute during the last decade are reviewed. Food and methods of feeding by various aquatic invertebrates (Rotatoria, Oligochaeta, Mollusca, Cladocera, Copepoda, Chironomidae larvae), daily food consumption, and assimilation of food have been investigated. Most invertebrates are omnivores although some species live on only one type of food. Daily food consumption changes with food concentration, temperature, and size of consumer. At 15–22 C and a concentration of food close to optimum, mean daily rations of most invertebrates studied usually range from 25 to 100% of body weight. Only in pulmonary Gastropoda and silt-eating Tubificidae does it greatly exceed body weight. In rare cases, at very high concentration of food unusual in nature, the so-called "extra feeding" may take place under experimental conditions. For most invertebrates feeding on natural food at optimum concentrations, index of assimilation varies widely, but rarely exceeds 50%. The assimilability of plant food was 45–55% in the majority of investigated species and appears to be considerably higher when animal food is used.
