Summary
Brief Summary
Classification
Names
Physical Description
General Body Plan
The Tentacles
Colouration
Ecology
Habitats
Crypsis
Larvae
Behaviour
Overview
Feeding
Predatory Defense Mechanisms
Survival Mechanisms
Reproduction
Reproductive Characteristics
Reproductive Strategy
Case Study
Ecological Role
Overview
Secondary Production
Sediment Processing
Biogeographic Distribution
Life History
Larval Development
Building of Sandy Tube
Early Benthic Development
Conservation and Threats
References & Links | Feeding
In order to obtain food, the feeding tentacles are projected out of the tube, spreading as far as 1m across the substrate around the tube itself as it surface deposit feeds. L. medusa generally feeds on silt-sized sediment particles at the sediment surface. Food is carried back to the mouth along a ciliate groove, with each tentacle groove being lined with hair-like cilia which aid in collecting and conveying the food toward the mouth of this suspension feeding worm (D. Haven et al, 1981). Any organic particles that may drop onto the tentacles are carried down this groove and into the hidden mouth of the worm. In order to digest large food particles, the elastic tentacles ‘lassoes’ the particles and drag them to the mouth. The tentacles are withdrawn at intervals and the sand and detritus adhering to them drawn into the burrow. Ingested sediments are also voided back into the water column where they settle and form low piles around the entrance of the tubes themselves, in this process faecal material is periodically flushed out of the tube with a burst of water which originates from the feeding end of the tube (D. Haven et al, 1981).
source: http://www.poppe-images.com/photo/collection/910000/web/910480.jpg |
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