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Thesis
THE EFFECT OF LIGHT, ARM LOSS, AND ARM DAMAGE ON THE BURROWING BEHAVIOR OF LUIDIA CLATHRATA
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2015
Abstract
The paxillosid starfish Luidia clathrata buries in the sand, which may be important for protection from potential predators. The purpose of this study was to examine burial time in Luidia clathrata relative to long-term background acclimation light intensity, short-term light intensity during burial, with and without light detecting ocelli, with varied numbers of arms, and with some or all nerve cords severed. Righting response, an additional measure of movement, was also observed when some or all nerve cords were severed. Long-term acclimation to two different light intensities, higher (51 micromol m-2s-1) and lower (12 micromol m-2s-1), did not significantly change burial rate. Short term exposure to higher (51 micromol m-2s-1) and lower (12 micromol m-2s-1) light intensity during burial did not significantly change burial rate. Luidia clathrata buried fastest when uncovered ocelli were present. Starfish buried faster when injured, including removal of an arm, removal of ocelli, and severing of nerve cords. The number of arms removed had no effect on burial rates. Three weeks after injury, burial rates returned to initial values. Starfish with all five nerve cords severed took the longest for burial rates to return to initial values.
Details
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF LIGHT, ARM LOSS, AND ARM DAMAGE ON THE BURROWING BEHAVIOR OF LUIDIA CLATHRATA
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090725706600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida