COMPLEX AND MODIFIABLE BEHAVIOR PATTERNS IN CALLIACTIS AND STOMPHIA

Three behavior patterns in sea anemones are analyzed in relation to the receptors, elfectors, and co-ordinating s)stems required for their perfomance: Calliactis responding to molluscan “shell-factor.” Stomphia swimming to starfish and to electrical stimulation. Stomphia transferring to shells of it...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Zoologist
Main Author: Ross, D. M.
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press 1965
Subjects:
Online Access:http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/5/3/573
https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/5.3.573
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Summary:Three behavior patterns in sea anemones are analyzed in relation to the receptors, elfectors, and co-ordinating s)stems required for their perfomance: Calliactis responding to molluscan “shell-factor.” Stomphia swimming to starfish and to electrical stimulation. Stomphia transferring to shells of its commensal Modiolus modiolus . These complex purposive acts are triggered and controlled by the excitation of chemoreceptors. Co-ordinating nervous components have not been identified. These specific responses offer possibilities for tests on learning for which unequivocal evidence does not exist in coelenterates.