BENTHOS RESEARCH
Online ISSN : 2186-4535
Print ISSN : 0289-4548
ISSN-L : 0289-4548
Foraging behavior of the polychaete Halla okudai in aquariums
HIROMICHI IMABAYASHIHIDETOSHI SAITOCHIAKI OHMASAKOICHIRO KAWAI
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1996 Volume 1996 Issue 50 Pages 11-17

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Abstract

A unique foraging behavior of the carnivorous polychaete Halla okudai (Lysaretidae) is described in detail. Living bivalves, Ruditapes philippinarum were supplied to adult H. okudai, which were burrowing in sandy sediment in aquariums. The foraging behavior was divided into 4 stages ; responding, searching, handling, and feeding. Responding and searching were considered to be dependent on the olfactory sense, and searching was significantly responsible for the variation in total foraging time. Handling was performed by inhibiting the escape of the bivalve and then opening its shell while secreting a jelly-like material. Bivalve size (23.8-26.3mm shell length) showed a significant correlation to handling time, which ranged from 0.87 to 6.67hr. During feeding, the ploychaete continued to secrete the jelly-like material, which was different in hue from that secreted during handling.

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© The Japanese Association of Benthology
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