Activity patterns and predatory behavior of an intertidal nemertean from rocky shores: Prosorhochmus nelsoni (Hoplonemertea) from the Southeast Pacific

摘要: Understanding the impact of environmental stressors on predator activity is a prerequisite to understanding underlying mechanisms shaping community structure. The nemertean Prosorhochmus nelsoni common in mid-intertidal zone rocky shores along Chilean coast, where it can reach very high abundances (up 260 ind m−2) algal turfs, crusts, barnacle and mixed substrata. Tidal diurnal scans revealed that P. primarily restricted night early-morning low tides relatively when air temperatures are high. On average, larger worms crawled faster than smaller worms, with their maximum velocity being influenced by substratum type. Their estimated rate predation 0.092 prey items nemertean−1 day−1, just below laboratory ~0.2 amphipods day−1 previously for this species. consumes diverse spectrum (i.e., amphipods, isopods, decapods, barnacles, dipterans) possibly exerting significant influence its populations. We suggest opportunistic predatory behavior intertidal caused trade-off between immediate persistence (e.g., avoidance desiccation) long-term survival through successful foraging.