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Feeding factors for the sea anemone Anthopleura midorii

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Abstract

The carnivorous feeding behavior of the sea anemone Anthopleura midorii was found to be a sequence of successive feeding motions, which consisted of several separate actions: (1) tentaculation on any solid matter; (2) retention of prey by tentacles; (3) mouth opening; (4) ingestion of food; (5) digestion of food; (6) extrusion of indigestible waste material. Hot water extract of a natural prey induced the entire feeding sequence when extract was given in the form of an artificial food by mixing with α-potato starch and water. The fractionated extract induced only a limited feeding action. Several amino acids induced feeding. Alanine, glycine or histidine stimulated the retention of artificial food by tentacles, and proline evoked mouth opening. Cysteine or reduced glutathione (GSH) induced food ingestion. Unnatural food stuff such as α-potato starch was ingestible, if an appropriate amount of a chemical substance was added.

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Author notes

  1. Y. Nagai

    Present address: Laboratory of Nippai Co. Ltd., Higashiterao, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Nippai Co. Ltd., Higashiterao, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Japan

    S. Nagai

Authors
  1. Y. Nagai
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  2. S. Nagai
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Communicated by M. Anraku, Nagasaki

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Nagai, Y., Nagai, S. Feeding factors for the sea anemone Anthopleura midorii . Marine Biology 18, 55–60 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347921

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347921

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