Open AccessSpecialized pelagic feeding by Erpobdella montezuma (Hirudinea)
Author(s) -
Blinn Dean W.,
Davies Ronald W.,
Dehdashti Behrooz
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1987.tb00764.x
Subject(s) - pelagic zone , biology , amphipoda , predation , littoral zone , ecology , crustacean
The pelagic amphipod, Hyalella montezuma comprised nearly 90% of the diet of the leech, Erpobdella montezuma in the near thermally constant environment of Montezuma Well, Arizona. This restricted diet, confirmed by both gut content and serological analyses, occurred even though other potential prey were abundant throughout the year in the pelagic column, littoral vegetation and sediments. Seasonal electivity indices for this pelagic prey species were ≥0.9. It is suggested that the highly predictable environmental conditions in Montezuma Well have contributed to this very close predator–prey relationship.