Anatomy of the alimentary canal of Parandania boecki (Stebbing, 1888) (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Stegocephalidae) from the Antarctic Ocean

Abstract

The alimentary canal of Parandania boecki (Stebbing, 1888) has been investigated. Examination of gut contents shows that this species feeds on Cnidaria. The oesophagus, stomach and midgut are adapted to ingest and store large masses of soft food. The opening of the oesophagus is closed by a labral operculum and ‘double gate’ — like narrowings at the stomach entrance. The foregut is extremely enlarged and the funnel region is reduced. The midgut very probably is not connected to the foregut, and the resorption of food takes place only in the midgut caeca. The midgut forms a shallow, crescentic cavity over the midgut caeca.

Keywords :

• Amphipoda
• Crustacea
• Stegocephalidae
• Parandania boecki
• food
• Cnidaria
• alimentary canal
• functional morphology
• Antarctica