Direct evidence of predation in deep-sea nematodes: the case of Pontonema sp.
Fonseca, G.; Gallucci, F. (2008). Direct evidence of predation in deep-sea nematodes: the case of Pontonema sp. Cah. Biol. Mar. 49(3): 295-297 In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more |   |
| Keywords | Oncholaimidae Filipjev, 1916 [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Nematode feeding ecology, Facultative predator |
| Authors | | Top | - Fonseca, G., more
- Gallucci, F.
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| Abstract | Shallow-water studies showed that adults of Oncholaimidae, including Pontonema, are facultative predators, while younger juveniles feed mainly on dissolved organic matter and decaying organisms. We examined the gut contents of 12 Pontonema specimens, four adults and eight juveniles, from the Arctic deep sea (1300-2500 m). An average of 4.25 nematode preys per individual was found, together with spicules, organic matter and sediment. Particularly in three juveniles, 15, 13 and 10 preys, mainly juveniles of Thalassomonhystera, were found. These observations give evidence that feeding strategy within a genus may differ among environments and that previous laboratory experiments have under- estimated their predation rates. |
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