Passive Suspension Feeding by an Octocoral in Plankton Patches: Empirical Test of a Mathematical Model

The Biological Bulletin
M R Patterson

Abstract

Feeding rate in the octocoral, Alcyonium siderium, was investigated as a function of colony size, flow speed, and prey concentration. The feeding rate decreases with time in high prey concentrations. A model of passive suspension feeding is formulated that successfully predicts feeding behavior. At low prey concentrations, the model predicts a linear feeding response as particle flux or colony size increases. The dominant constraint on feeding is the "handling time" required to transfer prey from tentacle to pharynx and to re-extend the tentacle. The time constant of prey capture shows no relation to particle flux, in agreement with the model. Another constraint, the "filtration time," is inversely related to colony size and flow speed. Filtration time becomes important only during feeding in sparse prey concentrations, when feeding rate is proportional to flow speed, colony size, and prey concentration. In the field, Alcyonium colonies reduce filtration time by orienting at right angles to the dominant flow direction. Feeding efficiency on prey patches is low and inversely related to flow speed, colony size, and prey concentration. Feeding in patches is not a simple process for this octocoral, because colonies will "saturate" ...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 1, 2008·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Marney C Pratt

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.