Ecological Associations and Feeding
As a Syllid, M. pachycera is probably associated with one or more coastal taxa such as hydroids, sponges, tunicates and corals (Schiedges, 1979; Franke, 1999; Cinar, 2003). A related species, Autolytus prolifera, of the same sub-family as M. pachycera, was found to be highly associated with hydroids, and this association was speculated to be common among other Autolytines (Dales, 1951). An even more closely related species, Myrianida pinnigera, was found by Okada (1935) to have a very close, possibly parasitic association with two species of tunicates. Sponges have been found to provide an important habitat for Syllids as they provide shelter and a continuous water current, which brings in new water and organic material (as reviewed by Cinar, 2003). Interestingly, a close association of M. pachycera with “a particular yellow sponge” has been referred to in an unreferenced internet source. While there is seemingly no systematic evidence to support this particular statement as of yet, such an association should not be ruled out until it has been subjected to the scientific process.
M. pachycera is a carnivorous polychaete, as are all other members of the Syllidae family (Ruppert et al., 2004). As previously mentioned, M. pachycera utilises its denticulate trepan to feed, piercing its prey and drawing out its contents with a specialised muscular section of its pharynx unique to Syllidae, the proventriculus (Franke, 1999; Rupert et al., 2004). A rudimentary proventriculus is shown in Internal Morphology. As far as I can tell, the specific diet of M. pachycera has not been described, though its ecological associations mentioned above may provide some hints (Franke, 1999). This is definitely a subject worth investigating though, as Syllids are important population managers within their ecosystems (Cinar, 2003). |