Abstract
The orientational behaviour of the neritic mysid Neomysis mirabilis in a swarm is considered under natural and experimental conditions. In nature, the swarms exhibit elements of inner integration, such as homogeneous age structure, collective behaviour, and relative constancy of inter-individual spacing. The mysids are guided by combined optomotor and vibrotactile cues, determining their disposition in aquaria of different shapes. Maximum accuracy of spatial arrangement is observed in round vessels. It is suggested that the stress encountered in an aquarium produces responses comparable to those elicited by the presence of a predator. The rigid spatial arrangement at the supra-individual level is interpreted as evolutionally-optimized prey strategy. These elements in the geometrical distribution of individuals in mysid swarms are inherent in other pelagic crustaceans also, and are not controlled by random taxes stimulated by hydrological factors.
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Communicated by M. E. Vinogradov, Moscow
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Zelickman, E.A. Group orientation in Neomysis mirabilis (Mysidacea: Crustacea). Mar. Biol. 24, 251–258 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391900
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391900