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Diversity of swimming behavior in hydromedusae as related to feeding and utilization of space

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Abstract

Feeding behaviors of the following 4 species of hydromedusae are described from field and laboratory observations: Probosidactyla flavicirrata, Stomotoca atra, Phialidium gregarium and Polyorchis penicillatus. Feeding efficiency of medusae has previously been considered equivalent to fishing with a given amount (combined tentacle length) of adhesive “fishing line”; however, detailed observation shows that behavior of medusae greatly modifies the fishing capacity of each species. It is hypothesized that in addition to (1) tentacle number and length, the following factors strongly influence feeding efficiency: (2) tentacle posture, (3) velocity of tentacles moving through water (4) swimming pattern of medusa, (5) streamlining effects of medusa bell on water flow, (6) diameter of prey, (7) swimming pattern and velocity of prey. Each species of hydromedusa utilizes the above factors in different combinations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Victoria, V8W 2Y2, Victoria, Bristish Columbia, Canada

    C. E. Mills

  2. Friday Harbor Laboratories, 98250, Friday Harbor, Washington, USA

    C. E. Mills

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  1. C. E. Mills
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Communicated by N.D. Holland, La Jolla

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Mills, C.E. Diversity of swimming behavior in hydromedusae as related to feeding and utilization of space. Mar. Biol. 64, 185–189 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397107

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397107

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