Clarke, Cathryn L. (2006) The population dynamics and feeding preferences of Bursatella leachii (Opisthobranchia: Anaspidea) in northeast Queensland, Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum: supplements, 69. pp. 11-21.

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Abstract

Sea hares (Opisthobranchi: Anaspidea) have long been known to form dense aggregations in shallow marine habitats. However, there have been few attempts to document the dynamics and causes of these aggregations. The present report investigates the population dynamics of Bursatella leachii found in association vith a cyanobacterial bloom in tropical north Queensland, Australia. The aggregation was fuelled by a continual source of recruits and in laboratory testing, this population preferred a green alga to its prey item in the field, the cyanobacterium, Calothrix crustacea. Therfore, B. leachii has the ability to continually recruit in large numbers to seagrass beds in order to exploit an abundant but less preferred food resource.

Item ID:	4232
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0313-122X
Keywords:	Bursatella leachii; Stylocheilus striatus; sea hare; Anaspidea; feeding preference
Related URLs:	http://202.14.152.30/records/contents/
Additional Information:	Reproduced with the courtesy of Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement, 69 . pp. 11-21.
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2009 06:00
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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