ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
Pariambus typicus
;
Ophiura
;
commensalism
;
phoresis
;
epibenthos
;
GermanBight
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Caprellid amphipods are small marine crustaceans whichusually live as epibionts on a variety of substrates.Apart from mostly sessile organisms such as algae,hydroids and bryozoans, they also frequently usevagile fauna as substrates. Pariambus typicus(Krøyer, 1844) is a common associate of subtidalasteroids and echinoids in European seas, but has alsobeen found free-living on the sea floor. In the GermanBight, P. typicus has also been discoveredregularly on ophiuroids (Ophiura albida Forbesand Ophiura ophiura (L.)), which had not beendescribed before. Several aspects of the biology ofboth partners were investigated with major focus ontheir distribution and relation to differentsubstrates, behavioural and morphological adaptationsto their habitat and their modes of nutrition.Various behavioural and morphological adaptationsenable Pariambus typicus to live on a variety ofsubstrates, on which the amphipod settles aftercontact. The highly mobile ophiuroid hosts open up newhabitats for the caprellid (phoresis). Extensivegrooming behaviour and specialized mouthpartmorphology enable P. typicus to use detritus asan important food source, which contributes also agreat part to the ophiuroids' nutrition. The complexassociation between P. typicus and Ophiurais interpreted as a commensalism.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1003002817720
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