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Studies of avoidance reactions in several species of Predatory British Seastars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

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Abstract

The avoidance reactions of Asterias rubens (L.) to live Crossaster papposus (L.) and to Solaster endeca (L.) were studied quantitatively and revealed a striking velocityagainst-time profile. The location of the material eliciting these reactions differed in the two species, being in the tube-feet of C. papposus and in the furrow and marginal spines of S. endeca. A partially purified active fraction was obtained from the tube-feet of C. papposus. The avoidance response of Marthasterias glacialis (L.) to C. papposus closely resembled the response of A. rubens. A study of the responses of A. rubens to other live seastars and their exudates showed that only Luidia ciliaris (Philipi) elicited a reaction similar to C. papposus and S. endeca, these three species being known predators of seastars. An intra-species avoidance was observed in C. papposus and the function and significance of this behaviour is discussed in relation to the inter-species avoidance reactions.

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Communicated by J.H.S. Blaxter, Oban

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Mayo, P., Mackie, A.M. Studies of avoidance reactions in several species of Predatory British Seastars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea). Marine Biology 38, 41–49 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391484

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