Factors influencing particle selection and feeding rate in the polychaeteCistenides (Pectinaria) gouldii
✍ Scribed by R. B. Whitlatch; J. R. Weinberg
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag
- Year
- 1982
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 755 KB
- Volume
- 71
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0025-3162
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✦ Synopsis
Feeding behavior of the deposit feeding polychaete Cistenides (Peetinaria) gouldii was examined to determine fac- tors affecting particle selection and feeding rate. Worms were found to select larg e particles preferentially and particle size selection increased with worm size. Particle selection behavior was unaffected by changes in sediment bacterial abundance. Feeding rates were affected by sediment size, bacterial density and worm size. Generally feeding rates increased in sediment containing more food, although the response was worm size specific. When viewed in a theoretical construct these results were inconsistent with predictions of deposit feeder optimal foraging models. Alternative explanations, such as morphological constraints placed upon the polychaete, may explain C. gouldii feeding behavior.