Abstract
The life style of a deep-sea ophiuroid, Asteronyx loveni was studied from underwater photographs (7 stations) and trawled samples (11 stations) between about 800 and 1700 m along the Pacific coast of Japan and in the Flores Sea, Indonesia. This ophiuroid typically clings to gorgonians ( Radicipes spp.) and pennatulids ( Funiculina quadrangularis and Anthoptilum sp.). The stomach contents of A. loveni included fragments of crustaceans, polychaete setae, sediment particles and flocculent material, but no tissues of the host coelenterates. Bottom photographs show the ophiuroids extending several arms into the water column presumably for suspension feeding. There was rarely more than one ophiuroid per coelenterate host, perhaps due to intraspecific competition for perch sites. Stereoscopic analysis of photographs revealed that most of the ophiuroids perched 20–35 cm above the sea floor. This may be the most effective height for feeding on particulate material resuspended from the sea floor by bottom currents.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Deep Sea Research Part A, Oceanographic Research Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
