(full paper is archived in the Miller Library)
Title: Biology and feeding behavior of Orbinia johnsoni
Student Author(s): Gosain, Vikram
Faculty Advisor(s): Abbott, Isabella
%E Abbott, Donald
Pages: 22
Location: Final Papers Biology 175H
Date: June 1976
Keywords: polychaeta
Abstract: Orbinia johnsoni were studied from a small sandy beach near Mussel Pt, Pacific Grove, California, where they are most abundant at low tide levels in fine sand. They were found to have a mean length of 190 mm. The orbiniids were found with their guts the fullest during incoming to high tides. It is plausible that this is when they are feeding. It takes about 3 to 3.5 hours for food to travel through the length fo the gut. The orbiniids eat 93 percent sand and 7% organic detritus. Special note should be taken that some food selectivity appears to be involved and that high percentages of organic matter in the feces are found in worms collected during low, outging tides. Evidence suggests that the worms are bottom feeders, not coming to the surface to feed.