Predator or Opportunist: Feeding behavios of Kynaria cynara (Marcus & Marcus, 1976) in captiviti
Keywords:
feeding, nudribranch, Behaviour, opportunist, hydrozoansAbstract
Nudibranchs are considered specialist consumers due to their limited selectivity in prey choice. However, the feeding behavior of these gastropods has not been extensively studied, as most research focuses on taxonomic listings and illustrated catalogs, which limits the understanding of their role in the food chain. This study evaluates the feeding behaviour of Kynaria cynara in captivity and compares the results with previous reports. It confirms that their main diet consists of hydrozoans, agreeing with some authors, but differs in showing that they can also attack and consume other sea slugs. Therefore, this species appears to be opportunistic, feeding on various biological groups. This dietary plasticity likely responds to factors such as prey availability and energetic demands. This study expands knowledge about the feeding behavior of heterobranchs and their role as population regulators in marine ecosystems.
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