Food preferences of the estuarine crab Sesarma catenata estimated through laboratory experiments

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro Bergamino ◽  
Nicole B. Richoux

Feeding by sesarmid crabs on plants represents an important energy pathway within some estuarine ecosystems. We examined the trophic ecology of estuarine sesarmid crabs Sesarma catenata through a series of laboratory feeding-preference experiments. Our experiments considered decomposed and mature leaves of terrestrial riparian trees, marsh plants Chenolea diffusa and Sarcocornia perennis and the marshgrass Spartina maritima as potential food items. S. catenata preferred decomposed leaves of terrestrial riparian trees, followed by decomposed and mature leaves of S. maritima. We suggest that the low carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratios of S. maritima and high bacterial production associated with decomposed terrestrial leaves may explain the trophic behaviour of S. catenata. The faecal production by S. catenata during these experiments confirmed the preferential assimilation of decomposed material by the crabs. By combining the consumption rates with an estimated density of S. catenata within the local estuary that it inhabits, we suggest that moderate proportions of the leaf material can potentially be consumed by this species (34% of total leaf litter), leaving substantial amounts of unconsumed leaf litter that may represent an important subsidy for adjacent environments. Our results validate previously published trophic data, showing the value of linking feeding experiments with biological tracers to improve food-web models.

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 442-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Callisto ◽  
José F. Gonçalves Jr ◽  
Manuel A. S. Graça

Our objective was to evaluate the potential use of leaf detritus by chironomid larvae. Field and laboratory experiments were performed using leaves and chironomid species collected in Portugal and Brazil. Laboratory experiments under controlled conditions were done using microbial conditioned senescent leaves of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn, Neriumoleander L., Protium heptaphilum (Aubl.) March, Protium brasiliense (Spreng) Engl., Myrcia guyanensis(Aubl.) DC and Miconia chartacea Triana. Laboratory experiments were performed using specimens collected from leaf litter in local streams. Whenever possible, after the experiments, chironomids were allowed to emerge as adults and identified. In Portugal the following taxa were identified: Micropsectra apposita (Walker, 1856), Polypedilum albicorne (Meigen, 1838),Eukiefferiella claripennis Lundbeck (1898), Rheocricotopus (Psilocricotopus) atripes Rempel (1937) and Ablabesmyia Johannsen (1905) (Diptera, Chironomidae). Consumption rates ranged from 0.15 ± 0.10 mg (AFDM) of leaf animal-1 day-1 (Micropsectra apposita feeding on Alnus glutinosa) up to 0.85 ± 0.33 mg (AFDM) of leaf animal-1 day-1 (Polypedilum albicorne feeding on Miconia chartacea). In Brazil, the following taxa were identified from leaves: Phaenopsectra sp., Chironomus spp. and Polypedilum sp. and maximum consumption rates reached 0.47 ± 0.28 (AFDM) of leaf mg.animal-1.day-1 (Chironomus Meigen (1803) feeding on Protium heptaphilum). Feeding experiments with laboratory cultured specimens, revealed that some chironomids were unable to feed on decomposing leaves (e.g., C. xanthus Rempel (1939) on P.brasiliensis and M.guyanensis). Our results suggest that some stream chironomids (not typical shredders) can use leaf litter of riparian vegetation as a complementary food source.


Nativa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Luiz Fernando De Sousa Antunes ◽  
Rafael Nogueira Scoriza ◽  
Dione Galvão da Silva ◽  
Maria Elizabeth Fernandes Correia

Os diplópodes são capazes de ingerir serapilheira parcialmente decomposta, transformando-a em matéria orgânica que enriquece o solo. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar potenciais fontes alimentares dos diplópodes da espécie Trigoniulus corallinus em laboratório fornecendo diferentes resíduos na forma de serrapilheira não decomposta, por um período de dez dias. Os resíduos utilizados neste experimento (todos senescentes) foram: aparas de grama batatais; folhas de gliricídia; de flemingia; de pata de vaca; de bananeira, além de um resíduo industrializado, neste caso, pedaços de papelão picado. O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com dez repetições. Ao final de dez dias foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: massa seca do resíduo restante da alimentação dos diplópodes, massa seca dos coprólitos e mortalidade dos diplópodes. A mensuração das taxas de consumo dos diplópodes mostraram-se diferentes entre os tratamentos, sendo as maiores taxas observadas para as folhas de flemingia (25,4 %) seguido pelas folhas de gliricídia (21,2 %). A massa de coprólitos gerados foi maior a partir dos resíduos de flemingia (0,214 g) e foi ausente na presença de papelão e gliricídia. Observou-se 100% de mortalidade dos diplópodes após o consumo de folhas de gliricídia. Depreende-se dos resultados que diplópodes da espécie T. corallinus são capazes de ingerir resíduos pobres em nutrientes, porém exibem nitidamente preferência alimentar por resíduos que contenham maiores teores de nutrientes.Palavras-chave: gongolos, compostagem, agricultura orgânica. CONSUMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN WASTES BY THE DIPLOPODA Trigoniulus corallinus  ABSTRACT: Diplopods are able to ingest litter partially decomposed, transforming them into organic matter that enrich the soil. This work aimed to evaluate potential food sources of the dipropods of the specie Trigoniulus corallinus in the laboratory providing different residues in the form of non - decomposed litter for a period of ten days. The residues used in this experiment (all senescent) were: batatais grass cuttings; Gliricidia leaves; of Flemingia; of cow's foot; of banana tree, in addition to an industrialized residue, in this case pieces of cardboard. The design was completely randomized, with ten replications. At the end of ten days, the following parameters were evaluated: dry mass of the remaining diplopods feed, dry mass of coprolites and mortality of diplopods. The measurement of the consumption rates of the diplopods were different among the treatments, with the highest rates observed for the leaves of flemingia (25.4%) followed by the leaves of gliricidia (21.2%). The mass of generated coprolites was higher from the flemingia residues (0.214 g) and was absent in the presence of cardboard and gliricidia. It was observed 100% mortality of the diplopods after consumption of gliricidia leaves. It appears from the results that dipropods of T. corallinus species are able to ingest nutrient-poor residues, but clearly exhibit their food preferences for residues containing higher nutrient contents.Keywords: millipedes, composting, organic agriculture. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 168 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Mitterwallner ◽  
An Nisa Nurul Suci ◽  
Neviaty Zamani ◽  
Mark Lenz

AbstractOcean warming is affecting marine ectothermic herbivores as well as the macroalgal species they consume and this has the potential to alter their trophic interaction. However, it is currently still unknown how these two important components of benthic food webs will react to a warming environment. Consumption rates of grazers change with increasing temperatures, but it is unclear whether this is also true for feeding preferences. In this study, multiple-choice feeding assays with the tropical abalone Haliotis squamata from Western Indonesia were conducted in August 2018. After brief acclimation of either the grazer or the macroalgae to moderately elevated water temperatures (maximum 2 °C above the long-term average) in the laboratory, three species of living macroalgae were simultaneously offered to the abalone in feeding assays. Consumption rates of H. squamata were lower under elevated water temperatures, while its feeding preference switched: At 27 °C (2 °C below long-term average), abalone preferred non-acclimated Gracilaria salicornia, but switched to non-acclimated Amphiroa spp. at 31 °C. Interestingly, no such switch in preference occurred when the macroalgae, but not the grazers were acclimated. This indicates that the grazer will presumably be the driver of this potential change in interactions between H. squamata and its macroalgal food. Ocean warming may result in changes in the structure of benthic communities, mediated by changes in the feeding behaviour of herbivorous invertebrates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G A Rivera-Figueroa ◽  
J A Büchner-Miranda ◽  
L P Salas-Yanquin ◽  
J A Montory ◽  
V M Cubillos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Free-living, planktonic larvae can be vulnerable to capture and ingestion by adult suspension-feeders. This is particularly the case for larvae that settle gregariously in benthic environments where suspension-feeders occur at high densities. Larvae of gregarious suspension-feeding species are at particularly high risk, as adults of their own species often serve as cues for metamorphosis. We conducted laboratory experiments to assess the extent to which adults of the suspension-feeding caenogastropod Crepipatella peruviana would capture and ingest their own larvae. Experiments were conducted with adults of different sizes, with larvae of different ages and sizes, and in the presence or absence of phytoplankton. Adults captured larvae in all experiments. The presence of microalgae in the water did not influence the extent of larval capture. On average, 39% of larvae were captured during the 3-h feeding periods, regardless of adult size. However, up to 34% of the larvae that were captured on the gill were later discarded as pseudofaeces; the other 64% were ingested. The extent of capture by adults was not related to adult size, or to larval size and, thus, to larval age. Our results suggest that the filtration of congeneric larvae by adult C. peruviana is a result of accidental capture rather than a deliberate feeding preference. Such ingestion could, however, still be an important source of larval mortality, especially when the advanced larvae of this species are searching for a suitable substrate for metamorphosis.


1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 925-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward L. Mills ◽  
Connie Adams ◽  
Robert O'Gorman ◽  
Randall W. Owens ◽  
Edward F. Roseman

The objective of this study was to describe the diet of young-of-the-year and adult alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) in nearshore waters coincident with the colonization of Lake Ontario by Dreissena. Laboratory experiments and field observations indicated that alewife and rainbow smelt consumed dreissenid veligers and that the veligers remained intact and identifiable in the digestive tract for several hours. Dreissenid larvae were found in field-caught alewife and rainbow smelt in August 1992, even though veliger densities were low (<0.1/L). Zooplankton dominated the diet of all fish and veliger larvae were <0.1% of the biomass of prey eaten by these fish. Density of veligers and the distribution of settled dreissenids declined from west to east along the south shore of Lake Ontario. Based on veliger consumption rates we measured and the abundance of veligers and planktivores, we conclude that planktivory by alewife and smelt in the nearshore waters of Lake Ontario did not substantially reduce the number of veligers during 1991–1993. However, our results indicate that if the density of veligers in Lake Ontario decreases, and if planktivores remain abundant, planktivory on veliger populations could be significant.


1984 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Morrissey ◽  
W. P. Norred

Groups of 30 rats each were fed 1 of 4 diets to determine feeding preference for freeze-dried meal compared to dry meal, and to determine if 3% agar is a desirable component of freeze-dried meal. The diets were: dry meal, meal+distilled water(freeze-dried), meal+3% agar in distilled water(freeze-dried), and meal+3% agar in distilled water(gel). Diet preparation, and the method for introducing a toxin in a toxicological study, is described. Feed consumption, bodyweight, and observational data were collected. Rats ate freeze-dried meal in amounts comparable to dry meal. There were no significant variations in feed conversion ratios among the dietary treatment groups. Agar is not required for freeze-dried diets, and we recommend that it be omitted to save resources and preparation time. Freeze-dried diets have a longer storage and cage life, thus the frequency of diet preparation, animal feeding and dean-up arc reduced. For studies involving a toxin, these factors would reduce the potential for accidental exposure of personnel to potentially harmful materials.


1982 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Cooper ◽  
Charles R. Goldman

Mysis relicta was fed Epischura nevadensis late instars or Diaptomus tyrrelli males in a series of feeding experiments. Mysis clearance rates were not affected by the time of day mysids were collected, the time of day experiments were conducted, or conditioning of experimental water by predators and prey. Mysis fed as efficiently in the dark as in bright light, and exhibited increasing clearance rates with increasing container size. When Diaptomus males were used as prey Mysis clearance rates were significantly higher at 5 °C than 10 and 15 °C; temperature did not affect clearance rates with Epischura as prey. Mean clearance rates tended to decline with increasing prey density, but the only significant differences were recorded when Epischura was used as prey. Prior acclimation to experimental light and temperature conditions had no effect on the results. When presented with an abundant food supply, freshly collected Mysis fed at initially low rates. Subsequent feeding rate peaks were followed by feeding rate declines to low levels over a 24-h period. Individual Mysis consumption rates remained relatively constant from day to day.Key words: Mysis relicta, predation, copepods, clearance rates, opossum shrimp


2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
FS. Albuquerque ◽  
MC. Peso-Aguiar ◽  
MJT. Assunção-Albuquerque

The goal of this study was to document the distribution and establishment A. fulica such as their feeding preference and behavior in situ. The study was carried out at the city of Lauro de Freitas, Bahia state, Brazil, between November 2001 and November 2002. We used catch per unit effort methods to determine abundance, distribution, habitat choice and food preferences. The abundance and distribution of A. fulica was most representative in urban area, mainly near to the coastline. Lots and house gardens were the most preferred sites during active hours. The results indicated that A. fulica started their activity at the end of the evening and stopped in mid-morning. Their preferred food were vascular plants such as Hibiscus syriacus, Ricinus communis, Carica papaya, Galinsonga coccinea, Lippia alba, Ixora coccinea, Musa parasidisiaca, Mentha spicata and Cymbopogon citrates. Our results indicate that A. fulica are well adapted and established in this city and modified environments facilitate their establishment and dispersion. However, human perturbation, such as clearance of lots could be limiting for the persistence of A. fulica populations.


Biologia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Proćków ◽  
Magda Drvotová ◽  
Lucie Juřičková ◽  
Elżbieta Kuźnik-Kowalska

AbstractFor the first time the life cycle of the common land snail Trochulus hispidus was completely described in Central Europe (Poland). This is a semelparous species predominantly with an annual life cycle and the reproductive period lasting from April till October. The first young snails hatch in spring, grow rapidly in summer and reach ca. 4 whorls until winter. In spring of the next year they mature and reproduce. After that they die. There is hardly any growth from late autumn till early spring. The average proportional growth rate is ca. 0.3 whorl/month in the wild. The fastest growth is present in the youngest snails and then gradually decreases over the course of their age. Laboratory and field observations allowed for establishing the following life cycle parameters: eggs calcified, almost spherical, ca. 1.5 mm, laid in spring and summer in batches of between 1 and 47. Time to hatching is 6–24 days, hatching is asynchronous; newly-hatched snails have approximately 1.5 whorls. Analysis of food preferences revealed, that T. hispidus tends to restrict its diet during the life. Generally the youngest snails equally consumed leaves of all four tree species offered (Fraxinus excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus, Tilia cordata and A. platanoides) whereas adults preferred F. excelsior over A. pseudoplatanus and A. platanoides.


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