Adaptations for scavenging by three diverse bathyla species, Eptatretus stouti, Neptunea amianta and Orchomene obtusus

Many deep-sea animals derive part of their nutrition from rare and unpredic table food falls. However, traits that allow organisms inhabiting the sea f loor to exploit carrion are poorly understood. We found in laboratory exper iments that hagfish (Eptatretus stouti), gastropods (Neptunea amianta) and amphipods (Orchomene obtusus) survived extended periods of starvation, in s ome cases for more than a year. When exposed to odors emitted from carrion, most individuals of E. stouti and O. obtusus began searching for food with in seconds, whereas none responded to the scent of the live prey. In contra st, the slow crawling N. amianta readily consumed carrion but showed no app arent response to any odor solutions tested. Because more motile animals ex hibited lower thresholds for response to signal molecules, sensitivity to c hemical cues appears related to species mobility. Hagfish were also found t o defend carrion from some competitors by releasing slime when feeding. Tho ugh varying dramatically in size, morphology, locomotive ability, and phylo geny, these three species all possess traits well suited for a scavenging l ifestyle. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.