Kappner, I, Al-Moghrabi, SM and Richter, C (2000) Mucus-net feeding by the vermetid gastropod Dendropoma maxima in coral reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 204 . pp. 309-313. DOI https://doi.org/10.3354/meps204309.

Text Kappner.pdf - Published Version Download (76kB)

Abstract

Dendropoma maxima (Vermetidae, Mollusca) is the largest member of a conspicuous group of sessile gastropods living in shallow tropical and temperate reefs. In the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, individuals of D. maximalive in tubes embedded in the carbonate framework of the reef flat at densities of 11.1 ± 6.3 m-2. They secrete mucus nets extending ~10 cm around the individuals. The sticky nets billow under the turbulent action of impinging waves andindiscriminately trap suspended particles. The nets are withdrawn at regular intervals and consumed. Net retraction frequency (NRF), as determined by time-lapse video in the laboratory and in the field, appears to be related to particle availability withsignificant differences between day (1.35 ± 0.16 hauls h-1) and night (2.39 ± 0.44 hauls h-1), corresponding to differences in the availability of phyto- and zooplankton. With each net load, the snail consumes 10.43 ± 0.99 µgchlorophyll a. Zooplankton accounts for about the same amount of ingested food as phytoplankton, the bulk of which is ingested during the night. Community ingestion amounts to 0.9 ± 0.5 g C m-2 d-1, showing that mucus-netfeeding by D. maxima traps plankton at rates comparable to other sessile suspension feeders in the same coral reefs.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	PA Not Applicable
Research affiliation:
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.3354/meps204309
ISSN:	0171-8630
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2025 12:01
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2025 12:01
URI:	https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/5952

Actions (login required)

View Item