Predation on the bivalve Macoma balthica by the isopod Saduria entomon: laboratory and field experiments

Abstract

In the laboratory several experiments with a specific size class of M. balthica per experiment were performed. Sizes ranged from newly settled postlarvae to 3.2mm long specimens. S. entomon preys actively on M. balthica above a certain minimum size (0.8mm), and on all the larger sizes tested, and 34mm long S. entomon were able to open and eat 17mm long M. balthica, a prey half as large as the predator. Recruitment, establishment and early succession were studied in the field. Boxes with and without enclosed S. entomon were sampled after 3 mo. The assemblages that had developed were similarly diverse and abundant in both treatments, but M. balthica decreased significantly when S. entomon was presented. -from Authors