What is the Difference Between Suspension and Deposit Feeders?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Suspension and deposit feeders are two types of feeding strategies employed by aquatic organisms, particularly in the benthos. The main differences between them are:
- Source of food: Suspension feeders ingest particles from the suspension, obtaining food that is suspended in water. In contrast, deposit feeders depend on the sediment and ingest particles from it.
- Feeding mechanism: Suspension feeders are mostly filter feeders, capturing and ingesting organic matter suspended in water. Deposit feeders, on the other hand, ingest sediments and digest particles.
- Energy requirement: Deposit feeders need to eat all the time to meet their energetic requirements from sediments. Suspension feeders do not have this constant requirement, as they capture and eat food particles suspended in the water.
- Ecological roles: Suspension feeders increase water quality by removing suspended organic and inorganic particles. Deposit feeders, by ingesting sediments, increase oxygenation and nutrient cycling.
In summary, suspension feeders capture and ingest organic matter suspended in water, while deposit feeders ingest sediments and digest particles to acquire food. These differences in feeding strategies result in distinct ecological roles and energy requirements for each type of feeder.
Comparative Table: Suspension vs Deposit Feeders
The main difference between suspension and deposit feeders lies in the source of food particles they ingest. Suspension feeders obtain food suspended in water, while deposit feeders depend on sediments for their nutrition. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between the two:
Feature | Suspension Feeders | Deposit Feeders |
---|---|---|
Food Source | Particles suspended in water | Particles from sediments |
Feeding Strategy | Ingest suspended particles | Ingested sediments to obtain nutrients |
Habitat | Aquatic systems, especially in the benthos | Aquatic systems, particularly in sediment-rich environments |
Examples | Bivalves, some worms, and crustaceans | Macoma (a type of clam) |
Both suspension and deposit feeders are aquatic animals involved in nutrient cycling in aquatic systems. However, their feeding habits and food sources differ significantly.
- Solution vs Suspension
- Emulsion vs Suspension
- Gravimetric vs Volumetric Feeder
- Suspension vs Colloid
- Solution Suspension vs Emulsion
- Suspension vs Expulsion
- Sol Solution vs Suspension
- Detrital vs Grazing Food Chain
- Total Solids vs Total Suspended Solids
- Electrophoretic Deposition vs Electrodeposition
- Suspending Agent vs Emulsifying Agent
- Sedimentation vs Decantation
- Sedimentation vs Flotation
- Adherent vs Suspension Cell Lines
- Adherent vs Suspension Cells
- Monolayer vs Suspension Culture
- Sublimation vs Deposition
- Term Deposit vs Fixed Deposit
- Decomposer vs Detritivore