Ecology of Hermissenda crassicornis
 
Main Ref. Gallivan, G. and J. Danforth, 1999
Remarks Found in oyster beds in bays in low to subtidal zones. Carnivorous; preys on hydroids, small sea anemones, bryozoans, worms, small crustacea, tiny clams, and even dead animals. Does not digest stinging capsules (nematocysts) of their prey. Instead the nematocysts are moved to the tip of the cerata and incorporated into the creature's own defense system.

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Hermissenda crassicornis may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic: mobile; Soft Bottom Hard Bottom;
Substrate Ref. Gotshall, D.W., 2005
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref. Gallivan, G. and J. Danforth, 1999
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Gallivan, G. and J. Danforth, 1999
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Gallivan, G. and J. Danforth, 1999

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 3.60 0.37 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
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