Zoological Studies

Modeling the Effects of Satiation on the Feeding Rate of a Colonial Suspension Feeder, Acanthogorgia vegae, in a Circulating System under Lab Conditions

Ming-Chao Lin, Chung-Min Liao and Chang-Feng Dai (2002) We developed a mathematical model, based on observations relating to feeding behavior of the gorgonian Acanthogorgia vegae, to characterize the feeding rates of colonial suspension feeders in a circulating system. We found that simultaneously none of all the polyps belonging to the same colony of A. vegae showed a feeding response after capturing a certain amount of Artemia nauplii. Equations in terms of the satiation factor were derived to predict feeding rates of colonial suspension feeders. Flume experiments were conducted under different ambient flow regimes to test the application of the equations. Good agreement between the results of the experiments and the predictions was evident. The results of this study show that satiation is an important factor influencing the feeding rate of colonial suspension feeders with an abundant food supply and a closed system of water. Furthermore, our study shows that the feeding rate of colonial suspension feeders in a circulating system can easily be calculated from the residual number of prey items at various times, even when the initial numbers of prey items and feeding animals are unknown. Our model is useful as a good methodological tool to estimate the feeding rate of colonial suspension feeders in the laboratory or aquacultural environments.