Moison, Maud, Schmitt, François G. and Souissi, Sami (2013) Differences in feeding activity between females and males of Temora longicornis. Ecological Research, 28 (3). pp. 459-467. DOI 10.1007/s11284-013-1034-0.

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Abstract

We have studied experimentally in the laboratory the behavioural responses of females and males of the calanoid copepodTemora longicornis and their encounter probability with the alga Rhodomonas. Both sexes of this calanoid copepod adapted their motion velocity and style of swimming in reaction to the presence of prey. Their mean velocity, as well as the probability of high velocity values, increased in the presence of the algae. Moreover, the time spent in swimming activity increased, reflecting a possible adaptation in order to facilitate encounter with prey. Females were more sensitive to the presence of food: mean velocities showed a 40 % increase for males, from control to food conditions, whereas for females the increase was 240 %. This result was confirmed using several indicators: net-to-gross displacement ratio, probability density functions, and symbolic dynamics. This may indicate that female T. longicornis are more attracted by food than males.

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