Suspension feeding in the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis  : efficiency of particle retention and implications for the use of encounter-rate models

Allen, John H.

doi:10.1007/s002270050405

Cited by 19 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The juveniles are found with arms flat on the sponge, and the same is true for larger specimens hiding near the sponges and projecting their arms over the sponges, contrasting with the arm-raised posture of individuals in crevices and in aggregations (Broom 1975). This predominantly suspension-feeding ophiuroid captures particles by direct interception by raising its arms above the substratum (Warner 1971, Warner & Woodley 1975, Davoult & Gounin 1995, Allen 1998. We suggest that small juveniles with short arms cannot capture food efficiently, and that they rely on the feeding currents generated by sponges to increase the rate of contact with particles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Mass recruitment of Ophiothrix fragilis (Ophiuroidea) on sponges:settlement patterns and post-settlement dynamics

Turon¹,

Codina²,

Tarjuelo³

et al. 2000

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The main recruitment of Ophiothrixfragilis occurs in the northwestern Mediterranean in late spring-early summer. Recruits are whitish and aggregate visibly on the surfaces of some sponge species, where they can reach densities above 50 ind. cm-2. In order to investigate this association, we monitored larval abundances in the plankton, and recruit distribution and dynamics on the benthos. Settlement took place in several batches, with peak abundance of recruits on sponges in June. The mean diameter of juveniles was 0.2 mm in June and grew to 0.4 mm in September. In July, after the settlement ceased, juveniles were more abundant on the surfaces of the sponges Crambe crambe, Scop a h a lophyropoda and Dysidea avara (14 to 20 ind. cm-2) than on the adjacent algal turf (4 ind. cm-2). No preference could be substantiated for 6 other encrusting sponge species. In contrast, juveniles were not significantly more abundant on these 3 sponges in June while settlement was under way. Recruitment on experimental sponges covered with plastic lids was reduced by two-thirds, indicating an initial colonization directly from the water column. However, clearing experiments demonstrated the ability of the young brittle stars to recolonise sponges, and brittle stars were more abundant at the periphery than at the centre of the sponges. These results indicate that brittle star recruits can select their substrata, possibly as a result of post-settlement lateral migration, resulting in an uneven distribution among sponge species. We set forth the hypothesis that this association between brittle stars and sponges is based on a trophic relationship, small brittle stars taking advantage of the inhalant currents of the sponge. In sponges with well-defined inhalant fields, almost all recruits concentrate on them, with arms flat against the sponge. When the brittle stars grow to a size above 1 mm (disk diameter) they abandon sponge surfaces and hide in small crevices between algae and invertebrates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Mass recruitment of Ophiothrix fragilis (Ophiuroidea) on sponges:settlement patterns and post-settlement dynamics

Turon¹,

Codina²,

Tarjuelo³

et al. 2000

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Grazer; suspension feeder Tillin et al (2006), Allen (1998), Warner and Woodley (1975), Roushdy and Hansen (1960), Davoult and Gounin (1995), Vevers (1956) …”

Section: Ophiothrix Fragilismentioning

confidence: 99%

Manipulating Interaction Strengths and the Consequences for Trivariate Patterns in a Marine Food Web

O’Gorman¹,

Emmerson

2010

Advances in Ecological Research

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“…9 for an experimental study). In stark contrast to this bias in study, many particle processes involve Reynolds numbers in this range [for example: filter feeding animals (4,6,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)17) (Re Ն 1); marine snow formation (18) (Re ϭ 0. ; and for airborne pollen, spores and dust (19) …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Filter feeders and plankton increase particle encounter rates through flow regime control

Humphries

2009

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Collisions between particles or between particles and other objects are fundamental to many processes that we take for granted. They drive the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, the onset of rain and snow precipitation, and the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, powders and crystals. Here, I show that the traditional assumption that viscosity dominates these situations leads to consistent and largescale underestimation of encounter rates between particles and of deposition rates on surfaces. Numerical simulations reveal that the encounter rate is Reynolds number dependent and that encounter efficiencies are consistent with the sparse experimental data. This extension of aerosol theory has great implications for understanding of selection pressure on the physiology and ecology of organisms, for example filter feeders able to gather food at rates up to 5 times higher than expected. I provide evidence that filter feeders have been strongly selected to take advantage of this flow regime and show that both the predicted peak concentration and the steady-state concentrations of plankton during blooms are Ϸ33% of that predicted by the current models of particle encounter. Many ecological and industrial processes may be operating at substantially greater rates than currently assumed.biological fluid dynamics ͉ coagulation ͉ phytoplankton ͉ suspension feeding

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Suspension feeding in the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis : efficiency of particle retention and implications for the use of encounter-rate models

Cited by 19 publications

References 26 publications

Mass recruitment of Ophiothrix fragilis (Ophiuroidea) on sponges:settlement patterns and post-settlement dynamics

Mass recruitment of Ophiothrix fragilis (Ophiuroidea) on sponges:settlement patterns and post-settlement dynamics

Manipulating Interaction Strengths and the Consequences for Trivariate Patterns in a Marine Food Web

Filter feeders and plankton increase particle encounter rates through flow regime control

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