Direct evidence of predation in deep-sea nematodes: the case of Pontonema sp.

• Main Authors: FONSECA, Gustavo, GALLUCCI, Fabiane
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Station Biologique de Roscoff (SBR) 2008
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.21411/cbm.a.d3ebf7b6; http://application.sb-roscoff.fr/cbm/doi/10.21411/CBM.A.D3EBF7B6

Shallow-water studies showed that adults of Oncholaimidae, including Pontonema, are facultative predators, while younger juveniles feed mainly on dissolved organic matter and decaying organisms. We examined the gut contents of 12 Pontonema specimens, four adults and eight juveniles, from the Arctic deep sea (1300-2500 m). An average of 4.25 nematode preys per individual was found, together with spicules, organic matter and sediment. Particularly in three juveniles, 15, 13 and 10 preys, mainly juveniles of Thalassomonhystera, were found. These observations give evidence that feeding strategy within a genus may differ among environments and that previous laboratory experiments have under- estimated their predation rates.