Feeding preferences, seasonal gut repletion indices, and diel feeding patterns of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Echinodermata : Echinoidea) on a coastal habitat off Toliara (Madagascar)
Vaïtilingon, D.; Rasolofonirina, R.; Jangoux, M. (2003). Feeding preferences, seasonal gut repletion indices, and diel feeding patterns of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Echinodermata : Echinoidea) on a coastal habitat off Toliara (Madagascar). Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 143(3): 451-458. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-003-1111-y In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more |  |
| Authors | | Top | - Vaïtilingon, D.
- Rasolofonirina, R.
- Jangoux, M., more
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| Abstract | The feeding biology of the echinoid Tripneustes gratilla from a sea-grass bed off Toliara, on the south-west coast of Madagascar, was investigated during the summer and winter seasons. Repletion indices of the gut of T. gratilla varied seasonally, in such a way that higher amounts of food occurred in the gut in winter than in other seasons. Conversely, a more detailed analysis of one summer and one winter sample of the gut tissue dry weights revealed higher weights in summer (February) than in winter (August). This was interpreted as a varying capability of nutrient storage and closely related to the feeding activity of the echinoid. This inverse relationship between feeding activity and nutrient storage was suggested to be dependent on gonadal growth. Indeed, higher food consumption was observed during the post-spawning period (August), that is, when most of the energy accumulated was used up for gonadal growth. Low feeding activity occurred when a sufficient amount of energy was accumulated in gut tissues (February), the time corresponding to the initiation of gonadal growth. Investigations on the feeding habits, using Ivlev's electivity index, revealed preferential feeding of T. gratilla on Syringodium isoetifolium, the dominant seagrass species found in the gut. This was partly related to the higher availability of that particular seagrass species in the field. However, its soft and terete leaf blade's morphology also makes it easier to manipulate and ingest. Studies on the feeding behaviour indicated the presence of a diel feeding cycle in T. gratilla individuals in both summer and winter seasons. Yet, its pattern varied between the two studied months (one summer and one winter) as the cycle was less contrasted during period of active feeding, i.e. in winter compared to summer. This study provides novel information on how intrinsic factors, such as physiological state, can govern the feeding activity of T. gratilla living in a seagrass habitat. |
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