Locomotory strategies in freshwater triclads and their effects on the energetics of degrowth

Abstract

Dendrocoelum lacteum, feeding on active prey, adopted a ‘sit and wait strategy’ upon starvation. During this time metabolic rate fell by a factor of 0.65. About 80% of the energy made available from the catabolism of tissue was lost as heat with the rest being lost as mucus. P. tenuis, feeding on inactive carrion, adopted a ‘search out strategy’ upon starvation. Metabolic rate fell during this time but only by a factor of 0.72. About 50% of the energy from catabolism was lost as heat and about 50% as mucus. Hence the locomotory strategies adopted by each species during starvation depended on the mobility of the prey and lead to marked differences in the energy balance of the worms.