- Ecology And Behaviour
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In situ behavioural studies on echinoderm aggregations
In-situ-Verhaltensstudien an Aggregationen von Echinodermen. Teil I.Pseudocucumis mixta
Part I.Pseudocucumis mixta
Helgoländer wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen volume 24, pages 157–162 (1973)
Kurzfassung
An der Westküste Irlands wurden extrem dichte Aggregationen einiger Echinodermen-Arten beobachtet. Die für die Populationsdichten einiger dieser Stachelhäuter ermittelten Werte gehören zu den höchsten, die bisher bekannt geworden sind. Die Untersuchungen konzentrieren sich auf die Lebensweise der HolothuriePseudocucumis mixta Östergren unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Habitatpräferenz, der Art des Einbohrens in den Untergrund, der Nahrungsweise, der Defäkation und des Sinneslebens. In-situ-Studien zeigten, daß ein offensichtlich vom Tag-Nacht-Wechsel gesteuerter Freßrhythmus vorliegt.
Summary
1. On the west coast of Ireland, a number of echinoderm species have been found to exhibit extreme aggregation. Population densities for some of these animals are amongst the highest on record.
2. Detailed studies have been carried out on aggregations of the holothurianPseudocucumis mixta Östergren. These provided information on habitat preference, mode of burrowing, method of feeding and the animal's sensitivity.
3. In situ observation established the existence of a diurnal feeding rhythm which may be primarily controlled by light.
4. The manner of defecation and the nature of the faeces would appear to rule out self-fouling by the aggregation.
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Könnecker, G., Keegan, B.F. In situ behavioural studies on echinoderm aggregations. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 24, 157–162 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01609508
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01609508