Elevating the predatory effect: Sensory‐scanning foraging strategy by the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi. (31st December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colin, Sean P.; MacPherson, Roshena; Gemmell, Brad; Costello, John H.; Sutherland, Kelly; Jaspers, Cornelia
• Is Part Of: Limnology and oceanography. Volume 60:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2014-12-31
• Subjects: Limnology -- Periodicals; Oceanography -- Periodicals; Océanographie; Limnologie; Limnology; Oceanography; Computer network resources; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Periodicals; 551.4805
• DOI: 10.1002/lno.10007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-3590

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The influential predatory role of the lobate comb jellyfish <italic>Mnemiopsis leidyi</italic> has largely been attributed to the generation of a hydrodynamically silent feeding current to entrain and initiate high encounter rates with prey. However, for high encounter rates to translate to high ingestion rates, <italic>M. leidyi</italic> must effectively capture the entrained prey. To investigate the capture mechanisms, we recorded and quantified, using three‐dimensional videography, the outcome of encounter events with slow swimming <italic>Artemia</italic> prey. The auricles, which produce the feeding current of <italic>M. leidyi</italic>, were the primary encounter structures, first contacting 59% of the prey in the feeding current. Upon detection, the auricles manipulated the <italic>Artemia</italic> to initiate captures on the tentillae, which are coated with sticky cells (colloblasts). Using this mechanism of sensory‐scanning to capture prey entrained in the feeding current, <italic>M. leidyi</italic> uses a similar foraging strategy to that of feeding‐current foraging copepods. As such, <italic>M. leidyi</italic> has a higher capture efficiency than do medusae, contributing to the greater predatory effect of <italic>M. leidyi</italic> in both its endemic and invasive ecosystems.</p> </abstract>