Uptake of DOM by Nemertean Worms: Association of Worms with Arthrodial Membranes

Abstract

SYNOPSIS. Carcinonemertes errans is a nemertean worm, the juveniles of which are found as epibionts on the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister , in close association with the arthrodial membranes of the crabs. The juvenile nemerteans appear to have no means of taking in particulate food but survive for many months on the surface of the host. We show that the juvenile C. errans are capable of removing amino acids from dilute solution in sea water, that the water near the arthrodial membranes where the worms are found contains high concentrations of primary amines, and that there is a low resistance pathway for low molecular weight amino acids across the arthrodial membrane examined in vitro .