The feeding behavior of Beroe ovata

Patches of the neritic ctenophores Beroe ovata and Bolinopsis vitrea were observed on the edge of the Great Bahama Bank in order to determine the interaction between the predator Beroe ovata and its prey Bolinopsis vitrea. Laboratory experiments on Beroe ovata showed that it responds chemokinetically to the presence of its prey; as it swims it collides with other etenophores on which it preys. The unique use of macrocilia as cutting implements aids the predator in removing tissue from its prey, yielding maximum gain from each encounter. By means of direct observations while diving, data on horizontal and vertical patchiness, swimming speeds, abundance, and feeding behavior were collected, and used to assess the impact of populations of the predator on its prey. Together, these two animal populations form an ecological feed-back system which affects other portions of the planktonic community.