Research Article| October 01, 2010 PREDATION OF MUDFLAT MEIO-MACROFAUNAL METAZOANS BY A CALCAREOUS FORAMINIFER, AMMONIA TEPIDA (CUSHMAN, 1926) Christine Dupuy; Christine Dupuy 5 1Université de La Rochelle, Institut du Littoral et de l’Environnement, UMR 6250, 2, rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle cedex, France 5Correspondence author: E-mail: cdupuy@univ-lr.fr Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Linda Rossignol; Linda Rossignol 2Université Bordeaux 1, Laboratoire EPOC, UMR 5805, Avenue des Facultés, 33405 Talence cedex, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Emmanuelle Geslin; Emmanuelle Geslin 3BIAF (Laboratoire des Bio-Indicateurs Actuels et Fossiles), UPRES EA 2644, Université d’Angers, 2 bd Lavoisier, 49045 Angers cedex, and LEBIM, Yeu Island, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Pierre-Yves Pascal Pierre-Yves Pascal 4Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2010) 40 (4): 305–312. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.40.4.305 Article history received: 05 Dec 2008 accepted: 25 Mar 2010 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christine Dupuy, Linda Rossignol, Emmanuelle Geslin, Pierre-Yves Pascal; PREDATION OF MUDFLAT MEIO-MACROFAUNAL METAZOANS BY A CALCAREOUS FORAMINIFER, AMMONIA TEPIDA (CUSHMAN, 1926). Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2010;; 40 (4): 305–312. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.40.4.305 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract Benthic foraminifera are heterotrophic protists that utilize different trophic mechanisms and nutritional resources. They exhibit a wide range of trophic behaviours: selective (grazing) and indiscriminate herbivory, symbiosis, carnivory, parasitism, uptake of dissolved organic matter, passive suspension feeding and, most commonly, deposit feeding. The benthic foraminifera Ammonia tepida, previously known as an herbivore, fed as a carnivore in laboratory experiments where mobile metazoans were provided. We observed predation on the three types of metazoans provided: nematodes, copepods, and a larval gastropod. This foraminifera used its pseudopodial network to entrap the invertebrates, which were then stripped of their soft internal tissues within 24 hours. Our experiments are the first to demonstrate that Ammonia tepida, despite its limited motility, is able to utilize larger mobile animals as a food source. The great abundance of small metazoans in most marine environments suggests that they are a food source for foraminifera. Further study of foraminiferal feeding strategies will enhance our understanding of their role in marine communities. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.