title: Dry to wet weight biomass conversion constant for Tetrahymena elliotti (Ciliophora, Protozoa).
abstract: The wet and dry weights of both axenic and monoxenic cultures of the ciliate Tetrahymena were determined directly. These estimates are dependent upon the method of volume determination. Assuming a prolate spheroidal shape for the ciliate, we calculate a mean wet weight of 0.4157±0.0713 pg μm-3and a mean dry weight of 0.2793±0.0652 pg μm-3. Using electronic cell sizing, our estimates are 0.7869±0.1659 pg μm-3and 0.5239±0.1101 pg μm-3, respectively. Independent of the method of volume determination, we estimate a mean biomass conversion ratio (dry weight/wet weight) of 0.59±0.08.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, M5S 1A1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, M5S 1A1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rogerson
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, M5S 1A1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berger