Concept explainers
To determine: The feeding habits of chaetognaths.
Introduction: The word Chaetognatha is derived from the Greek word chaite, long flowing hair, + gnathos, jaws. It depicts the sickle-shaped bristles on each side of their mouth. Chaetognaths are also called as arrow worms. They are marine planktonic predators.
Explanation of Solution
Arrow worms consist of a head, trunk and postanal tail. Their head consists of a large depression called a vestibule which leads to the mouth. This vestibule comprises teeth and edged on each side by curved chitinous spines. The teeth and spines are generally covered by a hood formed from a fold in a neck. A chaetognath in the presence of prey retracts it hood and captures the prey by spreading teeth and spines apart. Once the prey is captured a chaetognath shuts the teeth-spines assembly with tremendous speed. Arrow worms mostly feed on crustaceans, small fish and other chaetognaths.
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Chapter 22 Solutions
INTEG.PRIN.OF ZOOLOGY
- Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning