Tell-tail Adaptations for Respiration and Rapid Escape in a Freshwater Oligochaete (Lumbriculus variegatus Mull.)

Authors

Charles D. Drewes, Iowa State University

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Lumbriclus variegatus, oligochaete, respiration, giant nerve fibers, rapid escape reflex

Abstract

The aquatic oligochaete, Lumbrimlus variegatus (Order Lumbriculida; Family Lumbriculidae), utilizes a combination of postural and anatomical specializations that enhance gas exchange across the dorsal surface of posterior segments as these segments lay exposed at the air-water interface. Predator avoidance by exposed posterior segments is enhanced by neurobehavioral mechanisms involving a well-developed lateral giant nerve fiber system that mediates rapid escape withdrawal of the worm's tail in response to shadow or mechanosensory stimuli.

Publication Date

December 1990

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

97

Issue

4

First Page

112

Last Page

114

Copyright

© Copyright 1990 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Drewes, Charles D. (1990) "Tell-tail Adaptations for Respiration and Rapid Escape in a Freshwater Oligochaete (Lumbriculus variegatus Mull.)," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 97(4), 112-114.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol97/iss4/5