Summary
Physical Description and Anatomy
Ecology
Life History & Behaviour
Evolution & Systematics
Biogeographic Distribution
References & Links | Life History & Behaviour
Feeding
Diphyes bojani are carnivorous, but only the gastrozooids are capable of feeding. They have a tiny tentacle attached to the base of the polyp, which they use to capture prey. Prey is then transferred into oral opening of the polyp, where it is digested. D.bojani usually feed on copepods, but will also eat other organic matter. The gastrozooid will then share the nutrients with other zooids.
Unfortunately it was impossible to observe their feeding behaviour, as they would not eat under the light of the microscope. However, they did seem to have eaten the copepods supplied overnight when in a larger tank, so it is likely that observations in a darkened room may have yielded better results.
After feeding, the siphonosome retreated almost fully inside the hydroecium, and they showed no interest in other food given to them.
Reproduction
Cormidia, or zooid groups, are produced asexually. The youngest cormidia are those closest to the hydroecium, while the oldest are at the tip of the siphonosome. The oldest will eventually break free of the siphonosome, becoming a eudoxid, so that the gonophore can become sexually mature (Pages and Pugh, 2002).
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