Better red than dead? Potential aposematism in a harpacticoid copepod, Metis holothuriae

Ben Gilby; Dana D Burfeind; Ian R Tibbetts

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.12.001

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Better red than dead? Potential aposematism in a harpacticoid copepod, Metis holothuriae

Journal article

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Better red than dead? Potential aposematism in a harpacticoid copepod, Metis holothuriae

Ben Gilby, Dana D Burfeind and Ian R Tibbetts

Marine Environmental Research, Vol.74, pp.73-76

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.12.001

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Abstract

Chemical Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Biological Sciences

aposematism

predation

fish

zooplankton

copepod

lyngbya majuscula

metis holothuriae

The conspicuous, red harpacticoid Metis holothuriae grows to a large size (∼600 μm length) and accounts for 29.51% of the numerical meiofaunal abundance within blooms of the toxic, benthic cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. Despite this, the meiobenthic juvenile trumpeter whiting, Sillago maculata, consume M. holothuriae at only 2.16% of numerical meiofaunal biomass within simulated blooms, despite their apparent ease of predation. We compared the predation rates of copepods that had been dyed red (primarily Canuellidae and not known to be toxic) to M. holothuriae by S. maculata, to assess whether avoidance by predators is possibly a response to an aposematic signal conveyed by the colouration of the copepods and reinforced by their potential toxicity from exposure to L. majuscula. M. holothuriae were again strongly avoided, with only 6.25% of M. holothuriae consumed, whereas dyed copepods were consumed with relative alacrity, indicating that predation was not deterred by colouration alone. M. holothuriae copepodites were consumed in preference to adult individuals, supporting the idea that toxin accumulation or other factors relating to maturation might explain avoidance by benthivorous fishes.

Details

Title: Better red than dead? Potential aposematism in a harpacticoid copepod, Metis holothuriae
Authors: Ben Gilby (Author) - University of Queensland
Dana D Burfeind (Author) - University of Queensland
Ian R Tibbetts (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Marine Environmental Research, Vol.74, pp.73-76
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.12.001
ISSN: 0141-1136
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450070302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Toxicology

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