EFFECTS OF LIGHT ON THE EFFICACY OF TRAPS FOR NAUTILUS-POMPILIUS

Nautilus pompilius is usually caught using baited traps set on the bot tom at depths of over 100 m. Since laboratory tests have shown that th e animals are positively phototactic, the effects of light on the effi cacy of trapping was studied by setting pairs of traps at 450 m off th e reef al Suva, Fiji. The traps were matched in design but one was ill uminated and one dark. Illuminated traps caught significantly more Nau tilus (P<0.001), suggesting that Nautilus is attracted by light in the natural environment. The function of this behaviour is considered, an d it is suggested that it may help the animals find their sources of f ood.