Predatory feeding behaviour in Paramesopodopsis rufa Fenton (Crustacea:Mysidacea)

• Published in: Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology 1993-01, Vol.170 (1), p.127-141
• Main Authors: Metillo, Ephrime B., Ritz, David A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal ethology; Behaviour; Biological and medical sciences; Brackish; Crustacea; Daphniid; Endopod; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; Mysid; Paramesopodopsis rufa; Predation; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0022-0981; 1879-1697
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-0981(93)90133-9

Micro-videographic analysis of the predatory feeding behaviour of the estuarine mysid, Paramesopodopsis rufa Fenton, 1985 was undertaken using the euryhaline daphniid Daphniopsis australis Sergeev and Williams, 1985 as prey. For all sizes and sex of mysids examined, regardless of prey size, prey pre-capture involves a sudden concerted outstretching of the second to the eighth pairs of endopods. This stereotyped outsplaying of limbs sucks the prey towards the capturing limbs and limb velocities are comparable for immature and mature stages. Contrary to previous accounts, the second and third pairs of endopods are mainly involved in the actual prey capture. Prior to ingestion, prey was properly positioned by the tight clasps of the first and second pairs of endopods which, together with the mouthparts, pushed the prey in between the mandibular blades for biting. During ingestion, the mandibular palps, and endopods 3 to 8 form a cage that maintains the streamlined body shape of the mysid. Handling times (prey capture time + ingestion time) for the juvenile prey of immature and mature mysid stages are much shorter than for adult prey which are captured only by mature mysids. The rejection of an ephippium by P. rufa following attempts at ingestion, is reported for the first time.