| Abstract |
The monthly variations in the gut contents of Calocaris macandreae, principally a deposit feeder, and Upogebia stellata, principally a suspension feeder, were examined over the period of a year.The diet of both species consisted of a mixture of organic and fine inorganic fragments.The identifiable components of their respective diets included diatoms, dinoflagellates, algal and terrestrial plant fragments, and material of animal origin.The contribution of these different dietary components varied between the two species, and also over the year within each species.Using Strauss' Linear Food Selection Index (L) it was found that U.stellata positively selected diatoms, dinoflagellates and plant and algal fragments whilst avoiding animal material.In contrast, C.macandreae showed little evidence of food selectivity, except in the case of algal material which was positively selected.In general, variations observed in the diet were related to changes in food abundance and availability within their benthic habitat |
Pinn, E.H., R.J.A. Atkinson, and A. Rogerson (1998) The diet of two mud-shrimps, Calocaris macandreae and Upogebia stellata (Crustacea, Decapoda, Thalassinidea). Ophelia 48(3): 211–223. 