Environmental Factors Affecting Predation Rates of Mysis relicta

Abstract

Mysis relicta was fed Epischura nevadensis late instars or Diaptomus tyrrelli males in a series of feeding experiments. Mysis clearance rates were not affected by the time of day mysids were collected, the time of day experiments were conducted, or conditioning of experimental water by predators and prey. Mysis fed as efficiently in the dark as in bright light, and exhibited increasing clearance rates with increasing container size. When Diaptomus males were used as prey Mysis clearance rates were significantly higher at 5 °C than 10 and 15 °C; temperature did not affect clearance rates with Epischura as prey. Mean clearance rates tended to decline with increasing prey density, but the only significant differences were recorded when Epischura was used as prey. Prior acclimation to experimental light and temperature conditions had no effect on the results. When presented with an abundant food supply, freshly collected Mysis fed at initially low rates. Subsequent feeding rate peaks were followed by feeding rate declines to low levels over a 24-h period. Individual Mysis consumption rates remained relatively constant from day to day.Key words: Mysis relicta, predation, copepods, clearance rates, opossum shrimp