Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Ophiuroids feeding on Phytoplankton

Nature volume 188, pages 517–518 (1960)Cite this article

Abstract

RECENTLY, Nagabhushanam and Colman1 have described carrion-eating by some species of ophiuroids including Ophiocomina nigra (Abild.) and Ophiothrix fragilis (Abild.), from observations both in the laboratory and in the sea, a phenomenon which has been recorded previously2,3. The two species mentioned as well as Ophiopholis aculeata (L.) have, however, been reported to feed on a wide range of food from seston and plankton to bottom invertebrates2,3. In particular, Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiopholis aculeata are considered to be mainly suspension feeders4,5 (using strong ciliary currents6 in catching detritus), being also facultatively carnivorous. Of the species mentioned, Ophiocomina is anatomically well adapted for a carnivorous habit3. Nevertheless, all the species mentioned are considered to feed in essentially the same way2,3.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nagabhushanam, A. K., and Colman, J. S., Nature, 184, 285 (1959).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wintzell, J., “Bidrag till de skandinaviska Ophiuriderns biologi og fysiologi” (Diss.), Uppsala (1918).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Mortenson, Th., “Handbook of the Echinoderms of the British Isles” (Oxford, 1927).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  4. Blegvad, H., Rep. Dan. Biol. St., 22, 41 (1914).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Vevers, H. G., J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K., 31, 2, 215 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gislén, T., Zool. Bidg. Uppsala, 9, 1 (1924).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lebour, M. V., Sci. Prog., 107, 494 (1933).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ursin, E., Medd. Danm. Fisk. Havunders., N.S., 2, 24 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. H. M. ROUSHDY: Fellow of Unesco Fund.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Biological Laboratory, Helsingør, Denmark

    H. M. ROUSHDY

  2. Institute of Oceanography, University of Cairo,

    H. M. ROUSHDY

  3. Danmarks Fiskeri- og Havundersøgelser, Charlottenlund Slot, Charlottenlund, Denmark

    VAGN. KR. HANSEN

Authors
  1. H. M. ROUSHDY
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. VAGN. KR. HANSEN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

ROUSHDY, H., HANSEN, V. Ophiuroids feeding on Phytoplankton. Nature 188, 517–518 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/188517b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/188517b0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing