Abstract
Data are presented on the gut contents, ventral caeca fine structure and concentration of metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd) in Andaniexis abyssi and Stegocephalus inflatus captured live off Bergen. Additionally, some observations on gut contents and ventral caecal fine structure are also given relating to preserved Andaniopsis nordlandica collected off. the Norwegian coast. Andaniexis abyssi stomachs from shelf and fjord locations contained sand grains, muscle(?) tissue, fragments of arthropods and other animal remains together with dark granules. Animals derived from the fjord location also contained nematocysts. Andaniopsis nordlandica stomachs likewise contained sand grains, much larger quantities of nematocysts, arthropod fragments and muscle tissue, together with occasional brown crystals. The dark granules in Andaniexis abyssi stomachs are interpreted as voided Curich granules, the brown crystals in Andaniopsis nordlandica as voided ferritin crystals. The mouthparts of Andaniexis abyssi are redescribed in detail and are seen to be adapted for predation on soft-bodied prey (including coelenterates). Andaniopsis nordlandica, though, is apparently a much more specialist feeder on coelenterates (based on gut content assessment). The capacity to produce ferritin crystals in this species (though seemingly variable from individual to individual, as also appears to be the case in S. inflatus), conforms with earlier work by the authors linking ferritin crystal production with an iron detoxication system in coelenterophagous stegocephalids. Stegocephalid species representative of a wide range of body mass values are shown to have significantly elevated Fe concentrations compared with a similar range of gammarids. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Cd in Andaniexis abyssi and S. inflatus, however, are unremarkable (cf. other published data). The variable presence of Cu (and Ca)-rich granules in these species may be a reflection of normal physiological cycles of haemocyanin synthesis and breakdown.