57-11 Sat Jan 2 Attack of the killer copepod Wagner, G*; Morgan, N; Yen, J; Georgia Tech; Georgia Tech; Georgia Tech griffin.wagner@gatech.edu
Hesperodiaptomus shoshone is a large freshwater alpine [10,000 ft] copepod whose behavior has been studied for their response to UV radiation at high elevation [Williamson] and for their ability to use mechanoreception to sense water flows generated by their female mates [Yen]. Analyses of their feeding habits show that they are voracious predators on 2 cladocerans, Moina and Daphnia. Maximum feeding rates on the small cladoceran Moina [0.5 mm] were 40 prey /day at a concentration of 60 prey/125 mL while maximum feeding rates on the larger more active cladoceran, juvenile Daphnia [0.8 mm] was 12 prey /day at 40 prey/125 mL. High speed 3D video observations -aimed at mapping the 3D attack volume- showed that Hesperos easily captured and retained Moina but had a hard time maintaining a good grasp on the more robust Daphnia. The odd behavior was when satiated, Hesperos continued to kill Moina and juvenile Daphnia but left behind uneaten carcasses. Starved predators did not leave fewer carcasses than fed predators. Hesperos continued to feed on carcasses, indicating that movement of the prey was not necessary for detection, capture, and ingestion. We continue experiments to understand why Hesperos kills excess prey that they do not eat.