The behavioral patterns and feeding strategies of marine organisms represent significant aspects when comprehending the ecology, evolution, and dynamics of species. In addition, studies focusing on feeding habits in marine environments are fundamental for ecological conservation, since they are capable of revealing pollution levels. However, although individuals of the phylum Cnidaria have different life cycles and present a widespread distribution, studies of feeding behavior in anthozoans are scarce. Sea anemones (Cnidaria; Actiniaria) are predatory organisms and perform ecologically significant functions in benthic food webs. In this study, 42 individuals comprising three species, Actinia bermudensis, Anemonia sargassensis, and Bunodosoma caissarum, were collected in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. The dissected organisms were analyzed internally using DNA metabarcoding techniques with amplification of the mtCOI sector in order to identify and compare their feeding patterns. The morphological analyses comprised an important stage in the partial identification of the fragments found in the gastrovascular cavity of the specimens, despite many of the food items being fragmented and half-digested. The sequencing method, in extension, revealed the identification of a diverse and extensive portion of predated organisms, illustrating the dietary variation in the species, mainly composed of arthropods, such as crustaceans and insects, annelids, and algae classified as ochrophytes.
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COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE FEEDING HABITS OF SEA ANEMONES (CNIDARIA; ACTINIARIA)
Published:
14 October 2024
by MDPI
in The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Diversity
session Marine Diversity
Abstract:
Keywords: Marine invertebrates; Diet composition; Anthozoans
Comments on this paper
Laura Schejter
15 October 2024
Very interesting results! And clearly a difference in the diet of these species. Could you comment further on where these species live and whether they coexist in the same environment, or if they are from very different places with a very different composition of 'prey' items? Thank you.
SERGIO STAMPAR
15 October 2024
The data indeed reveal intriguing patterns, as we had not anticipated such substantial divergence between species co-occurring in the same habitats. The observed variation appears primarily attributable to stratification, with two species occupying the supralittoral to midlittoral zones and another residing predominantly in the infralittoral zone. This ecological differentiation likely contributes significantly to the observed variability, but probably there are more aspects related to behavior that we need to explore.
Laura Schejter
15 October 2024
thank you! Each question and each study, as always, triggers many more! :)
Maria Domracheva
15 October 2024
A very interesting job indeed! It is surprising to see algae and sessile organisms, such as sponges, in the diet of sea anemones. I hope your future research will shed light on their feeding behavior!