Abstract
This study was concerned with the relative attractiveness of prey extracts and metabolites and ninhydrin-positive compounds (NPCs) offered to immature lobsters (Homarus americanus). Extracts of rock crabs were the most attractive. Those of sea urchins and starfish were the least attractive. Immature lobsters showed significant preference for rock crab extract when offered those of various species. Only rock crab metabolites elicited significant food-searching responses from lobsters. Proline and ammonia were the most attractive of the NPCs tested.Selection of intact prey by immature lobsters was observed. Brittlestars, nereids, and polynoids were attacked more often than other prey, including rock crabs, starfish, mussels, sea urchins, and periwinkles. Polychaetes were almost always completely consumed when attacked. Immature lobsters ate smaller proportions of larger prey. Small rock crabs and large starfish, sea urchins, and mussels tended to avoid predation.An analysis of prey NPCs implicated the higher levels of NPCs, such as proline and ammonia, as a reason for the significant attractiveness of rock crabs.
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