Attraction to and selection of prey by immature lobsters (Homarus americanus)

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Abstract
The relative attractiveness of prey extracts, metabolites and ninhydrin-positive compounds (NPC) offered to immature lobsters (H. americanus) was studied. Extracts of rock crabs were the most attractive. Those of sea urchins and starfish were the least attractive. Immature lobsters showed significant preference for rock crab extract when offered those of various species. Only rock crab metabolites elicited significant food-searching responses from lobsters. Proline and NH3 were the most attractive of the NPCs tested. Selection of intact prey by immature lobsters was observed. Brittlestars, nereids and polynoids were attacked more often than other prey including rock crabs, starfish, mussels, sea urchins and periwinkles. Polychaetes were almost always completely consumed when attacked. Immature lobsters ate smaller proportions of larger prey. Small rock crabs and large starfish, sea urchins and mussels tended to avoid predation. Analysis of prey NPC implicated the higher levels of NPC, such as proline and ammonia, in the significant attractiveness of rock crabs.