Oil-induced disruption of foraging behaviour of the asteroid keystone predator, Coscinasterias muricata (Echinodermata) |
| |
Authors: | A Temara I Gulec D A Holdway |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, RMIT-University, GPO Box 2476 V, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia Fax: 0061 (0)3 9662 3421 e-mail: a.temara@mit.edu.au, AU |
| |
Abstract: | A prey-localization test allowed the observation of the foraging behaviour of Coscinasterias muricata in the presence of Mytilus edulis and the disruption of this behaviour following oil exposure. Asteroids were exposed to dilutions of water-accommodated fractions
(WAF) of Bass Strait stabilised crude oil (control, 2%, 10%). Effects of exposure (4 d) and depuration (20 d) were quantified
using circular statistical analyses. Observations suggested that disruption of behaviour might be concentration-dependent.
Control asteroids successfully located mussels during tests. A small proportion (3 of 16) of asteroids exposed to 2% WAF also
located the mussels, while asteroids exposed to 10% WAF did not. Following depuration, exposed asteroids recovered their chemoreception
capacities. It is concluded that (1) Coscinasterias muricata is able to locate prey mussels through chemoreception, (2) exposure to oil disrupts its foraging behaviour, and (3) the effect
is reversible.
Received: 4 March 1998 / Accepted: 25 November 1998 |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|