The Effect of Flow Rates on Predation of Donax variabilis by Luidia clathrata
Date
2021
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Department of Biology, University of Tampa
Abstract
The slender armed sea star (Luidia clathrata) and coquina (Donax variabilis) are found along the shorelines of the temperate waters of Tampa Bay. Sea stars have heightened reception to chemical cues and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis was tested in this study. Different induced flow w rates similar to those in Tampa Bay (stagnant, low flow fow, and high flow w) were tested on predation choice of sea stars on coquina clams. This experiment was achieved by using a flow w bar in a ten-gallon tank of synthetic seawater kept at 34 parts per thousand (ppt). One dead and one live coquina were placed on opposite ends of the tank, and the seastar was placed in the center. Flow rates were changed over a series of treatments, and each feeding regime was timed. The findings of this study suggest that there is no significant difference in flow w rate when compared to predation time, as well as no association between prey choice (dead vs. alive) and flow w rate. Additionally, behavior on choice was observed and found that there was no significant difference in flow w rate and foraging behavior. These findings indicate that predation on coquina by slender armed sea star is not dependent on flow w rate and that there is no association of prey choice. Results should be used to propagate further research on other observed predators to determine if these organisms purposely choose the scavenging technique in order to expend less energy on feeding behaviors.
Description
Recommended Citation: Cacace, Rachel, Sarah Detmering, and Gabrielle Vaillancourt. “The Effect of Flow Rates on Predation of Donax Variabilis by Luidia Clathrata.” Acta Spartae, 2021. https://doi.org/10.48497/WCJ2-GP66.
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Keywords
Slender armed sea star, Luidia clathrata, Coquina, Donax variabilis, Tampa Bay
Citation
Cacace, Rachel, Sarah Detmering, and Gabrielle Vaillancourt. “The Effect of Flow Rates on Predation of Donax Variabilis by Luidia Clathrata.” Acta Spartae, 2021. https://doi.org/10.48497/WCJ2-GP66.