Functional morphology and feeding behavior of Spio setosa (Polychaeta: Spionidae)

摘要: The functional morphology of the feeding palps spionid polychaete Spio setosa was studied based upon specimens from Delaware Bay, USA. palps, particularly ciliary groups, S. compared to other suspension polychaetes. contrasted with a sympatrically occurring obligate deposit-feeding polychaete, Marenzelleria viridis. contain three groups: frontal cilia lining food groove, non-motile cirri on surface organized into uniformly-spaced rows and widely-scattered lateral abfrontal palp. In contrast suspension-feeding species, are multiple, rows; non-motile; shorter in length. hypothesized function increasing mucus adhesion during particle capture flow. surfaces primarily as mechano-sensory structures. behavior spionid, M. viridis, were compared. groupings two species not remarkably different; however, differed greatly palp length dwelling type. Comparably-sized individuals had lengths 4 5 times longer than also produced sand tube that projected several cms water column whereas viridis lives burrow. Palp projecting dwellings affect numerous aspects dynamics potential exposure predation browsing.