The Swimming and Burrowing Habits of Some Species of the Amphipod Genus Bathyporeia

Abstract

The swimming and burrowing habits of four species of the genus Bathyporeia have been examined and shown to be alike, and similar to B. robertsoni as described by Schellenberg.Swimming is effected by the pleopods working in a metachronal rhythm, drawing water along a ventral groove formed by the coxal plates of the second peraeopods and the expanded bases of peraeopods 3, 4 and 5.The main water current enters anteriorly between the second gnathopods and is filtered by a series of feathered bristles borne on the basis of this appendage; a subsidiary current enters between the second and third peraeopods.Burrowing is effected mainly by the sweeping action of the second gnathopods and first two pairs of peraeopods, aided by the first and second uropods as soon as they can obtain a purchase on the sand. The adaptation of these three pairs of appendages to burrowing is explained.