Effect of Experience on Prey Species Selection by the Bivalve Feeder Halla Okudai (Polychaeta: Lysaretidae)

Abstract

We report on the effects of previous foraging experience on prey-selection by the bivalve feeding polychaete Halla okudai, including whether there was evidence of frequency-dependent predation. Three separate batches of H. okudai were maintained for 30 days on clams, mussels, or oysters, before being offered a choice among these three prey. Initially individuals from all three treatments consumed more clams than mussels, and no oysters. As the number of clams was depleted the polychaetes shifted their diet to include a greater proportion of mussels, but even after 20 days oysters were only eaten by polychaetes that had been previously acclimated to them. Nevertheless, polychaetes from each treatment inspected significantly more of the prey species to which they had initially been acclimated, suggesting that previous experience may increase the likelihood of certain prey being detected. When individuals of H. okudai were repeatedly offered the same prey species, handling time did not decrease (and therefore prey profitability did not increase) with experience, which may be because H. okudai paralyses its prey with toxic mucus. Since repeated experience of the same prey species gives no advantage in terms of reduced handling time, we suggest this may be why this species does not show frequency-dependent prey-selection.