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
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.