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Visual predation in My sis relicta Lovén 1
Author(s) -
Ramcharan Charles W.,
Sprules W. Gary
Publication year - 1986
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.1986.31.2.0414
Subject(s) - predation , moonlight , daphnia pulex , daphnia , biology , phototaxis , ecology , diel vertical migration , darkness , branchiopoda , cladocera , crustacean , botany
Feeding coefficients of Mysis on both Daphnia magna and Diacyclops bicuspidatus thomasi were higher in light than in darkness. Vision is inferred because this light/dark difference is inconsistent with a mechano‐receptive predation model that considers experimental biases caused by light/dark behavioral changes in both predator and prey. Feeding coefficients of Mysis on Daphnia pulex were the same in light and dark; we suggest that the transparent body of this species reduces its visibility. From low light level experiments we are able to extrapolate that mysids cruising the metalimnia of clear northern temperate lakes at night may be able to see by moonlight.