Feeding Efficiencies of the Polychaete Nereis virens Cultured on Hard-Clam Tissue and Oyster Detritus

In laboratory experiments, the ecological and assimilation efficiencies of the polychaete Nereis virens cultured on biodeposits of oysters (5.7 and 28.8%) were lower than for worms grown on clam tissue (18.0 and 77.3%). However, a high consumption rate of biodeposits resulted in a growth rate (48% increase in dry wt) higher than for worms fed clam tissue (31% increase). Mucus production by Nereis virens accounted for several percentage points in the calculation of efficiencies. Biodeposits in both natural and aqua-culture environments might be exploited as a food source for this species.