Predator gut state and prey detectability using electrophoretic analysis of gut contents

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Abstract
I. An investigation of the effects of position of food in the gut (gut state), time since feeding, meal size and environmental temperature on the detection of prey using the electrophoretic separation of proteins with esterase activity was undertaken. The waterbug Notonecta glauca Linn (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) was used as the model predator.2. Seven easily recognizable gut states can be identified at different times since commencement of a meal.3. Specific prey esterase ‘fingerprint’ bands can be detected whilst food remains in the foregut.4. Meal size and environmental temperature (affecting digestion and assimilation rates) both affect the rate of filling and emptying of the foregut, and hence the time period over which prey proteins can be detected by electrophoresis following a meal. Small meals and high temperatures lead to quite rapid changes in gut state with time and thus reduce the time period over which prey can be identified from gut contents (20 h). Large meals and low temperatures extend this period (48 h).5. Predator gut state is the most important parameter in prey detectability from gut contents, and from a visual examination of the gut state it is immediately evident whether or not prey detection by electrophoresis will be possible.6. There is further evidence in support of a twocompartment food processing model for Nofoonecru, and the significance of this type of processing in relation to gut content analysis of sucking predators is discussed.