Foraging Technique and Movement Strategy of Cyphoma gibbosum on Gorgonia ventalina in Greater Lameshur Bay
Shapiro R. Foraging Technique and Movement Strategy of Cyphoma gibbosum on Gorgonia ventalina in Greater Lameshur Bay. School for Field Studies: Virgin Islands Ecological Research Station
For the first day of experimentation, I located all Cyphoma gibbosum within thirty feet in every direction of the transect. For the next six days, by means of observation, I discovered their foraging technique and movement strategy. After tracing the outline of the Gorgonia ventalina onto mylar paper I plotted the Cyphoma gibbosum’s position and foraged path each day. From this, I calculated the area foraged as well as the distance moved. It was discovered that Cyphoma gibbosum foraged and moved using three basic strategies: straight line movement and simultaneous foraging up and down the Gorgonia ventalina random movement and simultaneous foraging within the same limited area, movement and foraging along a main vein. I discovered that regardless of which technique utilized, Cyphoma gibbosum foraged an area of approximately 2.2 cm squared per day.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Shapiro, Rachel
- Units
- VIIS
- Keywords
- Feeding, gastropod, interaction, Migration, sea fan, Snail