Ingestion Selectivity of Sedimentary Organic Matter by the Deposit-Feeder Nucula annulata (Bivalvia: Nuculidae)

Abstract

Methods are described that allow a quantitative estimation of selective ingestion of sedimentary organic matter by deposit-feeding animals. The estimation can be made independently of any information of possible modes of selection. Animals need not be starved for a feeding trial, as is usual in other selectivity studies. In the example presented, the protobranch bivalve Nucula amulata, when offered silt-clay sediment in which it was living, ingested sedimentary organic matter non- selectively.