Summary
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1.
The time necessary for the withdrawal of the anterior end of the body from an oval spot of light was found for dark-adapted earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris L., during test periods which started at 12:00 or 19:00 hours.
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2.
For 309 trials begun at 19:00, the average reaction time was 7.13 seconds and for the 308 begun at 12:00, it was 9.93 seconds.
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Here is another example of the effect of a diurnal cycle on a response typical of this species, and it is discussed in regard to other indicators of biological rhythmicity in earthworms.
Zusammenfassung
Wird das Vorderende von Lumbricus terrestris belichtet, so zieht es der Regenwurm nach einer gewissen Zeit (Reaktionszeit) zurück. Diese Reaktionszeit wurde für dunkeladaptierte Regenwürmer um 12.00 Uhr und um 19.00 Uhr gemessen. Mittags beträgt die Reaktionszeit im Mittel 9,93 sec (308 Versuche), abends 7,13 sec (309 Versuche; p< 0,001). Die Reaktionszeit unterliegt also tagesperiodischen Schwankungen, die im Zusammenhang mit anderen vom Regenwurm bekannten Erscheinungen biologischer Rhythmik diskutiert werden.
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Literature
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Baldwin, F. M.: Diurnal activity of the earthworm. J. Anim. Behavior. 7, 187–190 (1917).
Hess, W. N.: Reactions to light in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris. J. Morph. 39, 515–542 (1924).
Ralph, C. L.: Persistent rhythms of activity and O2-consumption in the earthworm. Physiol. Zoöl. 30, 41–55 (1957).
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Supported in part by a grant from the Committee on Faculty Research, Sweet Briar College.
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Bennett, M.F., Reinschmidt, D.C. The diurnal cycle and a difference in reaction times in earthworms. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 49, 407–411 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298110
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298110