title: The macrobenthos fraction accessible to waders may represent marginal prey.
abstract: The relationship between relative body condition (deviation from expected mean body weight) and burying depth was investigated in five macro-zoo benthic species living in a marine intertidal habitat. Body weight increased with depth when animals of the same size were compared. The increase amounted to 50% in the clamScrobicularia plana, ca. 40% in the wormNereis diversicolor, 25% in the clamMacoma balthica and 20% in the cockleCerastoderma edule and the clamMya arenaria. Only a part of the prey was within reach of some feeding wader species. Therefore prey value may be overestimated if one does not take into account the fact that shallow and accessible prey often have a relatively poor body condition.
authors.affiliation: Riikswaterstaat Flevoland, P.O. Box 600, 8200 AP, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwarts
authors.affiliation: Zoologisch Laboratorium, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA, Haren, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wanink
keywords: Predator avoidance; Prey availability; Prey condition; Waders; Zoobenthos