Preliminary analysis of the feeding habits of amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri (Grey), found at Naozhou Island of Zhanjiang
湛江硇洲岛文昌鱼(Branchiostoma belcheri)的食性研究

This paper described the observations and analysis of the stomach content of amphioxus regarding to spring and summer season, gender and body length. The samples were captured by special device, with a cross-section of 0.075m2, at the Naozhou Island Sea area outside Zhanjiang City from April to July of 2006. Food residue found in the alimentary canal of the amphioxus was mainly made up of mud and sand debris. In addition, Thirty-four species of organism were identified, including benthic diatom, at a percentage of 58.8%, as well as a few dinophyta, lamellibranch larva, copepods larva, and protozoa. The feeding habits of amphioxus were not the same, and the occurrence of its food materials was also different in spring and summer. The feeding habits of amphioxus were similar between different genders. The lancelets began to take animal food when they were mature.