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Species‐specific factors affecting predator‐prey interactions of the copepod Acanthocyclops vernalis with its natural prey
Author(s) -
Li Judith L.,
Li Hiram W.
Publication year - 1979
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.1979.24.4.0613
Subject(s) - carapace , biology , copepod , predation , predator , allometry , ecology , zoology , crustacean
Experiments of prey selection by Acanthocyclops vernalis demonstrate that many factors govern this process. Evidence from search and handling times required for complete consumption, behavioral observations, and carapace wound examinations indicated that body shape, carapace integrity, and mode of swimming were major influences on the selective process. Soft‐bodied species were quickly and completely consumed; others were more difficult to handle and some of these were rejected. Escape strategies were different for each prey species, and the success of escape depended in part upon swimming direction relative to the mode of horizontal attack by Acanthocyclops. Size affects all of these characteristics because of correlative relationships to body allometry, carapace integrity, and swimming speed.