Microplastics alter feeding strategies of a coral reef organism

Increasing marine microplastic pollution has detrimentally impacted organismal physiology and ecosystem functioning. While previous studies document negative effects of microplastics on coral reef animals, the potential responses organisms such as large benthic foraminifera (LBF) are largely unknown. Here, we impact heterotrophic feeding behavior LBF. Specimens Amphistegina gibbosa were incubated in three experimental treatments: (1) Artemia sp. nauplii only; (2) pristine particles (3) choice microplastic. Feeding evaluated 24 h after initiation treatments. A separate experiment was conducted to compare effect conditioned vs. Our results indicate that A. is able selectively feed Artemia, avoiding interactions with However, presence causes similar interaction rates Artemia. This suggests longer residence times may have a larger facultative detritivores.