Nocturnal Predation of Christmas Tree Worms by a Batwing Coral Crab at Bonaire (Southern Caribbean)

Ellen Muller,Godfried W N M Van Moorsel,Bert W Hoeksema,Harry A Ten Hove,Werner De Gier

doi:10.3390/d12120455

Ellen Muller, Godfried W N M Van Moorsel + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/d12120455

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Abstract

Christmas tree worms (Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) occur in shallow parts of coral reefs, where they live as associates of a large number of stony coral species [...]

Highlights

Christmas tree worms (Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) occur in shallow parts of coral reefs, where they live as associates of a large number of stony coral species [1,2]
They dwell inside a calcareous tube, which is usually overgrown by the host coral and partly embedded deep inside the coral skeleton, except for the tube’s opening and the worm’s operculum [3]
There are a few reports on attempted feeding of Christmas tree worms by fish and on Spirobranchus remnants found in fish stomachs ([9], references therein), but no information is available on other predators

Summary

Introduction

Christmas tree worms (Serpulidae: Spirobranchus) occur in shallow parts of coral reefs, where they live as associates of a large number of stony coral species [1,2]. High densities, and the damage these tube-dwelling worms may cause to corals [6,7], little is known about their natural enemies. There are a few reports on attempted feeding of Christmas tree worms by fish and on Spirobranchus remnants found in fish stomachs ([9], references therein), but no information is available on other predators.

Results

Conclusion