The Feeding Mechanism of Mesidotea Entomon (Linn.) (Crustacea: Isopoda)

Summary. The mouthparts of Mesidotea entomon are briefly described. Observations on living animals show that this species is capable of locating and capturing active animals, both on the surface of the substratum and below the surface. The feeding mechanisms of Mesidotea and Chiridotea are compared; it is suggested that the rhythmic packing action of the gnathopods in Chiridotea is a compensation for the lack of a molar process on the mandibles. The possible importance of mandibular structure in the classification of the Glyptonotinae is stressed.