Switching Between Deposit and Suspension Feeding in Coastal Zoobenthos
95
4.4 Conclusions
We conclude that the concept of switching feeding mode, and assumed
occurrence of this ability among coastal zoobenthos, should be re-assessed.
Most examples of switching between deposit and suspension feeding are
found among passive suspension feeders that strain food particles from the
near-bottom current. So far, only Nereis diversicolor has proven to be able to
make a genuine switch from a surface deposit feeder to an active and efficient
suspension feeder that operates an energy-consuming filter-pump that
competes well with filter-pumps operated by obligate suspension-feeding
invertebrates. For Macoma balthica it is concluded that suspension feeding is
not an important feeding mode because the water-processing capacity of this
species is insignificant compared with obligate suspension feeders, and no
convincing evidence for a switch to suspension feeding was provided for any
of the four factors proposed in the literature to induce a change in feeding
behaviour.
Acknowledgements. Thanks are due to Drs. P. S. Larsen, J.-M. Gili, G. Cadee and an
anonymous referee for constructive comments. Mrs. Katrine Worsaae provided supplementary pieces of information on spionids.
References
Barnes RH (1964) Tube-building and feeding in the chaetopterid polychaete, Spiochaetopterus oculatus. Bioi Bull 127:397-412
Barnes RD (1965) Tube-building and feeding in chaetopterid polychaetes. Bioi Bull 129:
217-233
Beukema JJ, Cadee GC (1997) Local differences in macrobenthic response to enhanced
food supply caused by mild eutrophication in a Wadden Sea area: food is only locally
a limiting factor. Limnol Oceanogr 42: 1424-1435
Beukema JJ, Meehan BW (1985) Latitudinal variation in linear growth and other shell
characteristics of Macoma balthica. Mar Bioi 90:27-33
Blake JA (1996) Family Spionidae Grube, 1850. In: Blake JA, Hilbig B, Scott PH (eds)
Taxonomic atlas of the benthic fauna of the Santa Maria Basin and the western
Santa Barbara Channel, vol 6 (the annelida part 3 Polychaeta: Orbiniidae to Cossuridae), Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, CA, pp 81-223
Blundon JA, Kennedy VS (1982) Refuges for infaunal bivalves from blue crab, Callinectes
sapidus (Ratbun), predation in Chesapeake Bay. J Exp Mar Bioi EcoI65:67-81
Bradfield AE, Newell GE (1961) The behaviour of Macoma balthica (L.). J Mar Bioi Assoc
UK 41:81-87
Bubnova NP (1972) The nutrition of the detritus-feeding mollusks Macoma balthica (L.)
and Portlandia arctica (Gray) and their influence on bottom sediments. Okeanologiya 12:899-905
95
4.4 Conclusions
We conclude that the concept of switching feeding mode, and assumed
occurrence of this ability among coastal zoobenthos, should be re-assessed.
Most examples of switching between deposit and suspension feeding are
found among passive suspension feeders that strain food particles from the
near-bottom current. So far, only Nereis diversicolor has proven to be able to
make a genuine switch from a surface deposit feeder to an active and efficient
suspension feeder that operates an energy-consuming filter-pump that
competes well with filter-pumps operated by obligate suspension-feeding
invertebrates. For Macoma balthica it is concluded that suspension feeding is
not an important feeding mode because the water-processing capacity of this
species is insignificant compared with obligate suspension feeders, and no
convincing evidence for a switch to suspension feeding was provided for any
of the four factors proposed in the literature to induce a change in feeding
behaviour.
Acknowledgements. Thanks are due to Drs. P. S. Larsen, J.-M. Gili, G. Cadee and an
anonymous referee for constructive comments. Mrs. Katrine Worsaae provided supplementary pieces of information on spionids.
References
Barnes RH (1964) Tube-building and feeding in the chaetopterid polychaete, Spiochaetopterus oculatus. Bioi Bull 127:397-412
Barnes RD (1965) Tube-building and feeding in chaetopterid polychaetes. Bioi Bull 129:
217-233
Beukema JJ, Cadee GC (1997) Local differences in macrobenthic response to enhanced
food supply caused by mild eutrophication in a Wadden Sea area: food is only locally
a limiting factor. Limnol Oceanogr 42: 1424-1435
Beukema JJ, Meehan BW (1985) Latitudinal variation in linear growth and other shell
characteristics of Macoma balthica. Mar Bioi 90:27-33
Blake JA (1996) Family Spionidae Grube, 1850. In: Blake JA, Hilbig B, Scott PH (eds)
Taxonomic atlas of the benthic fauna of the Santa Maria Basin and the western
Santa Barbara Channel, vol 6 (the annelida part 3 Polychaeta: Orbiniidae to Cossuridae), Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, CA, pp 81-223
Blundon JA, Kennedy VS (1982) Refuges for infaunal bivalves from blue crab, Callinectes
sapidus (Ratbun), predation in Chesapeake Bay. J Exp Mar Bioi EcoI65:67-81
Bradfield AE, Newell GE (1961) The behaviour of Macoma balthica (L.). J Mar Bioi Assoc
UK 41:81-87
Bubnova NP (1972) The nutrition of the detritus-feeding mollusks Macoma balthica (L.)
and Portlandia arctica (Gray) and their influence on bottom sediments. Okeanologiya 12:899-905