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Behavioural effects of biofouling in a marine copepod

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2000

R. McAllen
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 4JU, Scotland, Email : [email protected] School of Science and Management, University College Scarborough, Filey Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3AZ, England
G.W. Scott
Affiliation:
School of Science and Management, University College Scarborough, Filey Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3AZ, England

Abstract

The impact of biofouling by the filamentous bacteria Leucothrix mucor upon the body density and swimming behaviour of the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus brevicornis was investigated. Biofouled individuals had a greater body density than non-fouled individuals. Biofouled and non-fouled animals swam similar distances and for similar periods of time during trials, but biofouled animals engaged in fewer, but longer bouts of swimming per trial and as a result experienced a lower swimming rate. These observations imply that biofouling has significant implications for the behavioural ecology of T. brevicornis.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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