Abstract
Suspension feeding by the brachiopod Laqueus californianus (Koch), the phoronid Phoronis vancouverensis Pixell, the ectoprocts Bugula sp., Membranipora villosa Hincks, and Schizoporella unicornis (Johnston), and actinotrocha and cyphonautes larvae was observed. Lophophorates retain particles on the upstream side of the band of lateral cilia, even after particles have moved lateral to the frontal surface. This suggests that these animals utilize an induced local reversal of beat of the lateral cilia for concentration and capture of suspended food particles. Retention of particles can cease while the current past the tentacles continues. Movement of particles down the frontal surface of the tentacles of L. californianus and the ectoproct species confirms previous observations that mucus strands are not used in particle capture. Possible functions of latero-frontal cilia or bristles are considered. Distribution of the feeding mechanism among phyla, clearance rates, and the lack of fusion of tentacles in brachiopods are discussed. The impingement mechanism previously suggested for lophophorates cannot account for the movements of particles observed here.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Anderson, T. F.: Techniques for the preservation of three-dimensional structure in preparing specimens for the electron microscope. Trans. N.Y. Acad. Sci. (Ser. II) 13, 130–134 (1951).
Atkins, D.: The ciliary feeding mechanism of the cyphonautes larvae (Polyzoa Ectoprocta). J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 34, 451–466 (1955a).
—: The ciliary feeding mechanism of the entoproct polyzoa and a comparison with that of the ectoproct polyzoa. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 75, 393–423 (1955b).
—: A new species and genus of Kraussinidae (Brachiopoda) with a note on feeding. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 131, 559–581 (1958).
—: The growth stages of the lophophore and loop of the brachiopod Terebratalia transversa (Sowerby). J. Morph. 105, 401–426 (1959a).
—: The early growth stages and adult structure of the lophophore of Macandrevia cranium (Müller) (Brachiopoda, Dallinidae). J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 38, 335–350 (1959b).
— and M. J. S. Rudwick: The lophophore and ciliary feeding mechanisms of the brachiopod Crania anomola. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 42, 469–480 (1962).
Borg, F.: Studies on recent cyclostomatous Bryozoa. Zool. Bidr. Upps. 10, 181–507 (1926).
Bullivant, J. S.: The method of feeding of lophophorates (Bryozoa, Phoronida, Brachiopoda). N.Z. Jl mar. freshwat. Res. 2, 135–146 (1968a).
—: The rate of feeding of the bryozoan, Zoobotryon verticillatum. N.Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 2, 111–134 (1968b).
Emig, C. C.: Remarques sur la systématique des Phoronidea X. Notes sur l'écologie, la morphologie et la taxonomie de Phoronis ijimaï et de P. vancouverensis. Mar. Biol. 8, 154–159 (1971).
— et F. Becherini: Influence des courants sur l'ethologie alimentaire des phoronidiens. Etude par séries de photographies cycliques. Mar. Biol. 5, 239–244 (1970).
Garstang, W.: Larval forms and other zoological verses, 77 pp. Oxford: Blackwell 1951.
Horridge, G. A. and S. L. Tamm: Critical point drying for scanning electron microscope study of ciliary motion. Science, N.Y. 163, 817–818 (1969).
Hyman, L. H.: The invertebrates. 5. Smaller coelomate groups, 783 pp. New York: McGraw Hill 1959.
Jägersten, G.: Evolution of the metazoan life cycle, 281 pp. New York: Academic Press 1972.
Jørgensen, C. B.: Biology of suspension feeding, 357 pp. New York: Pergamon Press 1966.
Lebour, M. V.: The food of plankton organism. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 12, 644–677 (1922).
Lutaud, G.: Sur la ciliature du tentacle chez les bryozoaires chilostomes. Archs Zool. exp. gén. (Suppl. Notes Rev.) 92, 13–19 (1955).
Rudwick, M. J. S.: Filter-feeding mechanisms in some brachiopods from New Zealand. J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.) 44, 592–615 (1962).
—: Living and fossil brachiopods, 199 pp. London: Hutchinson & Co. 1970.
Ryland, J. S.: Bryozoans, 175 pp. London: Hutchinson & Co. 1970.
Stebbing, A. R. D. and P. N. Dilly: Some observations of living Rhabdopleura compacta [Hemichordata]. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 52, 443–448 (1972).
Strathmann, R.: The feeding behavior of planktotrophic echinoderm larvae: mechanisms regulation and rates of suspension feeding. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 6, 109–160 (1971).
— and D. Bonar: Tornaria's waterworks revisited. Am. Zool. 11, p. 517 (1971).
—, T. Jahn and J. R. C. Fonseca: Suspension feeding by marine intervebrate larvae: clearance of particles from suspension by ciliated bands of a rotifer, pluteus, and trochophore. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 142, 505–519 (1972).
Zimmer, R. L.: Reproductive biology and development of Phoronida, 416 pp. Seattle, Washington, USA: Ph. D. thesis, University of Washington 1964.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Strathmann, R. Function of lateral cilia in suspension feeding of lophophorates (Brachiopoda, Phoronida, Ectoprocta). Mar. Biol. 23, 129–136 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389170
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389170