The influence of feeding on behavior and nematocyst discharge of the sea anemone Calliactis tricolor |
| |
| Authors: | Donna May Sandberg |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Biological Science , Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida, 32306;2. Marine Biological Laboratory , Wads Hole, Mass., 02543 |
| |
| Abstract: | A decrease in basitrichous isorhiza and spirocyst nematocysts is observed in a fully fed sea anemone, Calliactis tricolor, as compared to unfed animals. Discharge of tentacle nematocysts of an intact living animal is inhibited by anesthetics and a decrease in temperature. The chemical (food origin) threshold for discharge of basitrichs is higher than for spirocysts and the implications of these results are discussed. The most probable cause for the observed decrease in nematocyst discharge is a combination of food present in the gastrovascular cavity and a physical stretching of the cavity. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
