Bathypanoploea schellenbergi Holman & Watling, 1983, an Antarctic amphipod (Crustacea) feeding on holothuroidea

Abstract

The Antarctic amphipod Bathypanoploea schellenbergi Holman & Watling, 1983 (Stilipedidae) feeds on holothurians. Nine out of 12 examined specimens had exclusively ossicles ofholothurians and sand grains in foregut or gut, two specimens had their gut empty and one had apparently ingested a polychaete. The mouthparts show features which are interpreted as adaptations to cut rigid tissue and to deal with mucus. The mandibles are dentate and the strong lacinia mobilis of the left side may serve as an additional cutting edge. The maxillae show a remarkable reduction of hair-like setae. The foregut morphology indicates extensive food storage capabilities.