15 - Potential for specialization in feeding behavior in a generalist species of polychaete in the Chesapeake Bay
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Generalist species are known for their ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats by adapting to diverse environmental conditions and consuming various food sources. Evidence suggests that generalist species can exhibit specialist behavior at a population level and are known as generalist specialists. Differing prey availability and environmental conditions between habitats can cause individuals to utilize different feeding strategies to exploit available resources efficiently. While population specialization has been documented in mammals, there is a lack of information on this adaptation in generalist macrobenthic invertebrates. This study attempts to understand possible feeding specialization in a generalist species of Nereid polychaete, Alitta succinea. This species is known to exhibit a broad ecological niche and show varying feeding modes, such as detritivory, carnivory, and omnivory. Habitat material and A. succinea specimens were collected from a mudflat, rocky shore, and fouling community in the Chesapeake Bay. The species composition and abundance of each habitat were characterized to assess what A. succinea could prey upon. Traits linked to the species’ feeding behavior, such as proxies for eye size, body size, jaw length, and palp size, were measured to detect morphological adaptations. Lastly, gut content analysis was done to characterize the diet of the collected specimens. Due to the higher biodiversity of the fouling community, we predict that specimens in this habitat will rely more frequently on carnivory than deposit-feeding, with consequent morphological adaptations. These findings could offer new perspectives on the role of generalist specialists in marine ecosystems.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Abby Ethridge, Gloria Massamba N'Siala
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Department of Biological Sciences
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Biodiversity | Biology | Marine Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
15 - Potential for specialization in feeding behavior in a generalist species of polychaete in the Chesapeake Bay
Generalist species are known for their ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats by adapting to diverse environmental conditions and consuming various food sources. Evidence suggests that generalist species can exhibit specialist behavior at a population level and are known as generalist specialists. Differing prey availability and environmental conditions between habitats can cause individuals to utilize different feeding strategies to exploit available resources efficiently. While population specialization has been documented in mammals, there is a lack of information on this adaptation in generalist macrobenthic invertebrates. This study attempts to understand possible feeding specialization in a generalist species of Nereid polychaete, Alitta succinea. This species is known to exhibit a broad ecological niche and show varying feeding modes, such as detritivory, carnivory, and omnivory. Habitat material and A. succinea specimens were collected from a mudflat, rocky shore, and fouling community in the Chesapeake Bay. The species composition and abundance of each habitat were characterized to assess what A. succinea could prey upon. Traits linked to the species’ feeding behavior, such as proxies for eye size, body size, jaw length, and palp size, were measured to detect morphological adaptations. Lastly, gut content analysis was done to characterize the diet of the collected specimens. Due to the higher biodiversity of the fouling community, we predict that specimens in this habitat will rely more frequently on carnivory than deposit-feeding, with consequent morphological adaptations. These findings could offer new perspectives on the role of generalist specialists in marine ecosystems.