Ref ID : 970
A.A. Karpenko, A.I. Railkin, and L.N. Seravin; Feeding behaviour of unicellular animals. The role of prey mobility in the feeding behaviour of protozoa. Acta Protozoologica 16(3/4):333-344, 1977
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The method of magnetic moving models (MMM) proved that the feeding behaviour of protozoa always depends on certain degree of the mobility of the prey. Bacteria-feeding ciliates (Paramecium caudatum, Stylonychia mytilus and Spirostomum ambiguum) react to the mobility of prey as to a limiting factor reducing the probability of food particles ingestion. Hydrodynamic disturbances of the medium produced by oscillations of MMM-type models serve as a source of stimuli inducing a positive taxis in Amoeba proteus by, directing its movements towards potential prey. Dileptus anser and Didinium nasutum both attack and capture MMM-models without ingesting them. Only in Amoeba dubia the mechanical stimulation evoked by prey mobility induces a complete feeding response including the ingestion of oscillating particles.