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Feeding Habits of Ocinebrina edwardsi (Mollusca: Prosobranchia) a Common Mussel Drill of the Italian Coasts |
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| Authors: | P Tongiorgi P Nardi L Galleni M Nigro U Salghetti |
| Institution: | Istituto di Zoologia dell' Universitàdi Modena, Via dell' Università, 4, 1–41100 Modena, Italy;Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina, Piazzale P. Mascagni, 1, 1–57100 Livorno, Italy;Istituto di Zoologia e Anatomia Comparata dell' Universitàdi Pisa, Via A. Volta, 4,1–56100 Pisa, Italy. |
| Abstract: | Abstract. The shell-boring gastropod Ocinebrina edwardsi (PAYR.) lives associated with Mytilus galloprovincialis LMK on which it preys. Predation is preferentially directed towards small (< 15 mm long) mussels. The predation rate (number of mussels eaten per gastropod per day) for medium sized mussels (16–25 mm long) during a year ranges from 0.03 to 0.11. The predation rate is directly influenced by the sea-water temperature. Predation follows a seasonal cycle reaching a maximum in July and a minimum in January. O. edwardsi drills selectively the median anterior region of the mussel valve, close to the dorsal edge. |
| Keywords: | Muricidae Ocinebrina edwardsi predation Mytilus galloprovincialis |