Response of Asterias vulgaris to bivalves and bivalve tissue extracts |
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| Authors: | O Zafiriou K J Whittle M Blumer |
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| Institution: | (1) Present address: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA;(2) Torry Research Station, Aberdeen, Scotland UK |
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| Abstract: | The sea star Asterias vulgaris was observed in aquaria and in a flow tank in the presence of oysters, oyster tissue, and extracts of four shellfish species. Oysters were approached after varying delays, opened, and consumed; oyster tissue was rapidly approached and eaten. Dilute (ppb) shellfish extracts were approached in a flow tank. High concentrations of extracts elicited posturing and stomach eversion responses. Some suspended materials in flowing seawater inhibited the approach of A. vulgaris to oyster extract. The behavior of A. vulgaris and A. forbesi to food stimuli are compared. Asteroids appear to distinguish between intact and injured tissue, and exhibit variable responses. These tendencies provide a possible mechanism for forming feeding aggregates.Contribution No. 2703 of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA |
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