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Regulation of nematode behavior by physical means

1973; Elsevier BV; Volume: 33; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0014-4894(73)90032-5

1090-2449

M. R. Samoiloff, P McNicholl, Ronald Cheng, S. Balakanich,

Marine Biology and Ecology Research

Application of microwave radiation, laser microbeam irradiation, and short pulses of electric current stimulates changes in normal swimming behavior of the free-living nematode Panagrellus silusiae. The altered behavior, termed activated behavior, involves increased movement of the ends of the nematode, rapid changes in orientation, and an increase in the proportion of the swimming time that the nematode is curved such that the ends are pointing in the same direction. Laser microbeam studies indicate that the receptor for mating attraction is situated on the spicule. Panagrellvs silusiae shows mating attraction with two strains of P. redivivus, but the P. redivivus strains only attract P. silusiae or the other P. redivivus strain. Experiments with pulses of electric current indicate that the nematodes can be conditioned and that this conditioning requires RNA and protein synthesis.