ECOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY OF FEEDING AND AGONISTIC BEHAVIOR IN MUDFLAT STOMATOPODS (SQUILLIDAE)

¹ Chulalongkorn University Marine Biological Station, Ang Sila, Chon Buri, Thailand

Agonistic and feeding behavior and morphological structure were studied in five stomatopod crustaceans with raptorial appendages adapted for spearing prey. Agonistic behavior was less frequent and less vigorous than in species adapted for smashing. Of the spearers, the most aggressive species, Cloridopsis scorpio, possessed a heavier raptorial apparatus and constructed the most complex burrow. Harpiosquilla harpax preyed on fish and had the longest raptorial appendages and largest eyes. The remaining species (three Oratosquilla spp. and C. scorpio) possessed similar raptorial appendages but sorted out by water depth, body size, eye size, and length of antennules. The latter two measurements suggest that differences in the structure and function of sensory systems may be important considerations in the analysis of foraging strategies and resource partitioning.