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Geotaxis and Phototaxis in Elphidium Crispum (Protozoa: Foraminiferida)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

C.J. Manley
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Plymouth, Drake's Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
S.R. Shaw
Affiliation:
School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Plymouth, Drake's Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Extract

Laboratory experiments were carried out upon Elphidium crispum to determine the mechanism by which this species remains epifaunal, by investigating geotaxism, phototaxism, temporal influence and responses through ontogeny. Different size-classes of specimens were tested for phototaxism and geotaxism, over four and five months respectively. Specimens of the smallest size-class tested (250–355 μm) were significantly phototaxic and geotaxic. Significant positive phototaxism was demonstrated in all tests except one, with specimens in the size-class 500–1000 μm giving particularly significant results for the months of June and July 1994. Specimens were significantly geotactic for three of thirteen tests: both negative and positive geotaxism were demonstrated.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1997

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