| Autor: |
Zimmerman, Kerry M., Stancyk, Stephen E., Clements, Lee Ann J. |
| Zdroj: |
Marine Behaviour & Physiology; Jul1988, Vol. 13 Issue 3, p239-255, 17p |
| Abstrakt: |
Microphiopholis gracillima (Stimpson) is a burrowing ophiuroid in the family Amphiuridae. Amphiurid distribution can be often be predicted by measurement of sediment characteristics, particularly grain size. To determine whether M. gracillima could distinguish between sediments of differing grain size and/or organic content, brittlestars were given the opportunity to select between various natural sediments, sediments which varied in grain size only, and sediments which varied in organic content only. Ophiuroids demonstrated preferences for a) natural sediments most like their normal habitat, b) artificially‐mixed inorganic sediments of intermediate grain size distribution, and c) artificially‐mixed sediments of intermediate organic content. This is the first demonstration that these deposit‐feeding ophiuroids can select their habitat according to grain size or organic content of the sediment, and has important implications for studies of recruitment and distribution of these organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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