The predation of trumpet shell, Charonia sp., on eight different marine invertebrate species

Abstract

In this study, predation of the trumpet shell, Charonia sp., on different invertebrate prey species, e.g. starfish, Asterina pectinifera and Asterias amurensis, abalone Haliotis discus hannai, clam Anadara broughtonii and Tapes phillipiarum, and sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus and Anthocidaris crassispina, was measured in a laboratory experiment. Each prey species was placed in a tank with a trumpet shell; prey species were not combined. Each combination of prey and trumpet shell was replicated three times. Trumpet shells did not prey on economically important shellfishes, including Anadara broughtonii, Tapes phillipiarum and Haliotis discus hannai. Sea stars were most preferred by the trumpet shell. The following preference gradient from most to least preferred was found: sea stars > sea cucumber > sea urchin. In selected situations, trumpet shells may be a means of biological control of predators of economically important shellfish.