Morphological adaptations for carrion feeding in four species of littoral or circalittoral lysianassid amphipods

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Abstract
Mandibles and guts of the lysianassid amphipods Anonyx sarsi, Onisimus littoralis, Orchomenella pinquis, and Psammonyx nobilis differ markedly in shape, size, and presumed function. The larger A. sarsi has broad incisors, tall molars with no triturative area, and a greatly expandable foregut, while the other three species have more narrow incisors, lower molars with triturative areas, and less capacious guts. The adaptive significance of these morphological traits is discussed and it is suggested that A. sarsi and its congenerics are highly adapted necrophages. Onisimus littoralis, Orchomenella pinguis, and P. nobilis are thought to be scavenging omnivores. A parallel is drawn between the presumed ecological role of A. sarsi in circalittoral ecosystems and that of the genera Hirondellea and Eurythenes in the abyss.

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