Figure 2

The pilidium can independently deform any part of the ciliated band to redirect streams containing prey. Frame sequences (A-F) correspond to the six high-speed video sequences assembled in Additional file 4: Video 4. Times indicate the change from the previous frame in the row. Arrowheads indicate the captured cells (solid arrowheads – before capture, open – after capture, i.e. passing into the vestibule). This set of recordings summarizes the pilidium’s characteristic repertoire of capture behaviors ranging from discrete sips to large gulps or multi-part captures. All of these larvae are four-week-old lab-reared M. alaskensis.