The feeding biology of the gymnoblastic hydroid, Pennaria tiarella

The role in food capture of the nematocysts on the filiform and capitate tentacles of Pennaria tiarella is discussed. The feeding response of Pennaria tiarella to Artemia extracts consists of cone bending and mouth opening. A similar feeding response has been demonstrated to be induced by proline at concentration as low as 10−6M. Pipecolic acid, a proline analog, also elicits a feeding response. Proline causes the head of the capitate tentacles to shrink, thereby causing the cnidocils of the large stenoteles to be prominent.