THE MECHANISM OF ACTIVE CAPTURE OF ANIMAL FOOD BY THE SERGESTID SHRIMP ACETES SIBOGAE AUSTRALIS

Combining the use of scanning electron microscopy and microcinematogra phy with functional and behavioural observations has clarified many as pects underlying the feeding processes of the small planktonic sergest id shrimp Acetes sibogae australis. Ln captivity Acetes sibogae austra lis is an opportunistic feeder that uses four principal feeding modes to capture a wide size range of prey: Artemia nauplii (<0.33 mm), cope pods (<1 mm) and moribund Acetes (up to 25 mm). Prey capture is effect ed by combined actions of the first three pairs of pereiopods and the third maxillipeds before transfer to the more dorsal second maxilliped s. The second maxillipeds are the principal appendages used in securin g, manipulating, sorting and rejecting prey before insertion into the vicinity of the inner mouthparts.