Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2009
The paper presents preliminary data on the response of Pectinaria koreni to light and on the effect of light and temperature on its rate of sediment reworking. Pectinaria at the ‘settling in’ stage reacted to light by burying themselves completely under the sediment. There was indication that vertical movement of Pectinaria in the sediment followed a diurnal rhythm probably associated with feeding activity. Pectinaria was most active at higher temperatures and in the dark. At 7 °C the rate of sediment reworking was significantly less than that at 10 and 15 °C and was not affected by light. At 10 and 15 °C the amount of sediment reworked in the dark was significantly greater than that reworked in the light.