Feeding preferences and seasonality of free-living marine nematodes inhabiting the kelp Macrocystis integrifolia

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The 3 predominant nematode species found on Macrocystis integn'folia on the Canadian Pac~fic coast, Prochromadorella neapolitana, Monhystera refringens and M. disjuncta, showed specific responses to bacterial and diatomaceous food sources in feeding experiments under simulated summer and winter conditions. P. neapolitana exhibited a definite preference for diatoms, particularly Coc- coneis scutellurn and Gramatophora marina, over bacteria. M. refringens showed no general prefer- ence towards either bacteria or diatoms but exhibited some particular preference for the diatom Synedra tabulata. Under both environmental simulations, M disjuncta showed a marked preference for bacteria and especially for one of the rod-shaped species. The seasonal abundance and distribution of these