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Prey detection in the Chaetognatha: Response to a vibrating probe and experimental determination of attack distance in large aquaria 1
Author(s) -
Feigenbaum David,
Reeve M. R.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1977.22.6.1052
Subject(s) - sagitta , benthic zone , biology , predation , range (aeronautics) , zoology , plankton , ecology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , materials science , otolith , composite material
The benthic Spadella schizoptera and the planktonic Sagitta hispida both attacked a fine vibrating glass probe over a broad range of frequencies after being starved for 1–3 days. The response curve for S. schizoptera had a peak at 30 Hz and was similar in shape but far broader than that found by prior workers for Spadella cephaloptera . Sagitta hispida responded differently, with a peak response at 150 Hz and no apparent preference among lower frequencies. It also had a strong (37%) response to nonvibrating lateral sweeps. Neither species would attack the probe at a distance >3 mm. This extremely short attack distance was confirmed, for S. hispida , in a 50‐liter aquarium by a series of feeding experiments, the results from which were applied to a simple model. Sagitta hispida starved for 1 day searched 2,667 mm 3 min −1 and had an attack distance of 0.88 mm. These experimental data were used to determine the ability of S. hispida to sustain itself nutritionally in its natural environment.