INFLUENCE OF DINOFLAGELLATE TRICHOCYSTS AND OTHER FACTORS ON THE FEEDING OF <i>CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA</i> LARVAE ON <i>MONOCHRYSIS LUTHERI</i>1

Abstract

Ingestion of 14 C‐labeled Monochrysis lutheri by straight‐hinge larvae of Crassostrea virginica was influenced by several factors. Incorporation of radioactive flagellates increases rapidly in the first few hours of incubation but more slowly thereafter. The number of flagellates ingested becomes greater as the available number of food cells increases; however, retention or utilization of flagellates does not similarly increase. Feeding is stimulated as temperature is increased from 16 to 30C. At critical concentrations, trichocysts, as well as bacteria and small phytoplankton species. inhibit ingestion of M. lutheri. The data suggest that large numbers of small particles may interfere with larval feeding on useful phytoplankton species.