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Experimental tests of suspension feeding in Atlantic reef corals

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Abstract

The ability of 15 species of Atlantic reef corals to act as suspension feeders was demonstrated by their removal of suspended particles from sea water in culture vessels. Mean clearance rates varied from 16.6 to 145.5 ml water cleared/h/cm2 of live coral tissue. The lowest rates was found in Porites porites which is primarily a tentacle feeder, and the highest in Diploria clivosa which acts as both a tentacle feeder and suspension feeder. Rates of particle clearance in Agaricia agaricites, which is primarily a suspension feeder, were influenced by current velocity and type of food.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    J. B. Lewis

  2. the Marine Sciences Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    J. B. Lewis

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  1. J. B. Lewis
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Communicated by T.R. Parsons, Vancouver

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Lewis, J.B. Experimental tests of suspension feeding in Atlantic reef corals. Mar. Biol. 36, 147–150 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388437

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388437

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