Comparative functional morphology of feeding in three species of caprellids (Crustacea,Amphipoda) from the northwestern Florida Gulf Coast

The functional morphology of feeding has been investigated in three species of caprellid amphipods. Feeding preferences are correlated with the increased setation and stoutness of the head appendages, the denser the setae the greater the trend toward filter-feeding. It was found that Caprella penantis Leach fed primarily by filter-feeding and scraping; Paracaprella tenuis Mayer relied on filter-feeding, scraping, scavenging, and predation; and Luconacia incerta Mayer depended almost entirely on predatory habits. The observed feeding patterns were verified by stomach content analysis.