Abstract
Predatory feeding of the marine mysids Mysidopsis bigelowi and Neomysis americana on several species of co-occurring copepods was examined in laboratory experiments. M. bigelowi exhibited a curvilinear functional response; there was a negative logarithmic relationship between prey density and clearance rates. N. americana also exhibited higher clearance rates at lower prey densities. Increased clearance rates at lower prey densities were probably due to increased swimming speed or reaction distance as hunger increased. This response occurred only when mysids could visually locate prey; in complete darkness clearance rates were significantly lower and independent of prey density. Feeding rates on different prey species were only partially dependent on prey size; prey movement patterns and escape behavior also strongly affected feeding rates. M. bigelowi showed active prey selection when offered a choice of different prey species. Estimates of predation rates of estuarine mysid populations indicate that they could have a significant effect on co-occurring copepod populations.
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