Food Habits of the Japanese Mantis Shrimp in the Benthic Community of Hakata Bay

Abstract

Examination of the stomach contents of the Japanese mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria showed that this species is a very intensive predator on the Macrura which is a principal component of the benthic megalofaunal community. Thus, the mantis shrimp, by feeding largely on the Macrura, may have a major influence on this community structure in Hakata Bay. The shrimp was also revealed to be an intensive predator on the Pelecypoda despite underestimation of predation intensity, based on the stomach contents, because of its shell-smashing behaviour. Furthermore, this study showed that many Macrura were captured during September and November by the mantis shrimp and that female shrimp of reproductive sizes also consume many Pelecypoda. As a prey species, mantis shrimp themselves were found infrequently in the digestive tracts of other predators. © 1986, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.