FEEDING-BEHAVIOR OF PARACENTROTUS-LIVIDUS IN THE PRESENCE OF CAULERPA-TAXIFOLIA INTRODUCED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN-SEA

Citation
R. Lemee et al., FEEDING-BEHAVIOR OF PARACENTROTUS-LIVIDUS IN THE PRESENCE OF CAULERPA-TAXIFOLIA INTRODUCED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN-SEA, Oceanologica acta, 19(3-4), 1996, pp. 245-253
Citations number
54
Categorie Soggetti
Oceanografhy
Journal title
ISSN journal
03991784
Volume
19
Issue
3-4
Year of publication
1996
Pages
245 - 253
Database
ISI
SICI code
0399-1784(1996)19:3-4<245:FOPITP>2.0.ZU;2-T
Abstract
Experiments in aquaria have shown that the feeding behaviour of the se a urchin Paracentrotus lividus in presence of the green alga Caulerpa taxifolia varies during the year. In summer, the alga is strongly avoi ded and is not consumed. in winter and spring, although the alga is on ly moderately appreciated, its consumption is significant, but it is h ardly or not at all absorbed. These results are confirmed by content a nalysis of the digestive tract of P. lividus sampled in situ in an are a colonized by C. taxifolia. The sea urchins' feeding behaviour is lin ked to the presence of toxic and repellent secondary metabolites of C. taxifolia, caulerpenyne in particular.