Book contents
6 - Behavioral responses to flow
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 November 2009
Summary
The life form of benthic suspension feeders includes both infauna and epifauna, and as Table 6.1 suggests, the majority are epifauna. The central problem for both sessile and tube-living epifauna is that they must grow upwards into the benthic boundary layer to reach good quality, or higher quantities of, seston, both of which may be height or velocity dependent (Muschenheim 1987a,b). Yet, these suspension feeding epifauna may be restricted by the increasing velocity encountered higher in the benthic boundary layer, because it increases drag and the likelihood of dislodgement for them. By contrast, infauna are less susceptible to dislodgement, which does not occur unless a substantial part of the sediment is swept away.
Behavioral responses to flow include rheotaxis, which is a directed response to flow direction involving locomotion or muscular turning of body parts, and rheokinesis, which is a non-directed response causing random movement proportional to flow velocity. Rheotropisms are debatably behavioral responses but fit the definition of behavior in Carthy (1958); that is they involve flow-induced differential growth perceived as twisting stresses by the axial support system, e.g. of gorgonian corals which have semi-conductor properties that provide electrical stimuli for skeletal secreting cells (Wainwright and Dillon 1969). The result is greater skeletal growth on the stimulated side.
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- Benthic Suspension Feeders and Flow , pp. 213 - 269Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1997
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