The diet and feeding mechanism of <i>Idotea</i>

Abstract

SUMMARY Idotea feeds on large food masses. It is potentially an omnivorous scavenger, but each species may have a characteristic diet depending on the availability of food in its particular habitat. The structure, topography and action of the mouthparts are described: spines on the maxillules and maxillipedes scrape the food material whilst the mandibles actually bite the food; toothed spines on the maxillules and mandibles push the food upwards to the molar processes of the mandibles; debris is brushed forwards between the lobes of the paragnath by setae on the inner endites of the maxillules, maxillae and maxillipedes; and spines on the maxillipedal palp, and on the first leg, comb the mouthparts. The structure of the foregut resembles that of Asellus and Ligia . The relation of the feeding mechanism to the functional evolution of the mouthparts of Peracarida as a whole is discussed.