FEEDING MECHANISM OF THE ECHIUROID, OCHETOSTOMA ERYTHROGRAMMON LEUCKART & RUEPPELL, 1828

Abstract

1. Ochetostoma erythrogrammon built U-shaped burrows between mean low water neaps and mean low water springs in the intertidal sandy mud of Singapore and neighboring islands. 2. At ebb tide the proboscis emerged from the burrow in wet beaches to collect and swallow sand grains and detritus from the surface of the shore. 3. The ciliary currents on the proboscis and the course of the accepted and rejected particles were described. 4. The feeding mechanism of Ochetostoma erythrogrammon was compared with those of Echiurus echiurus and Urechis caupo.