The cnidome of the scleractinian cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa (Linnaeus, 1758, syn. Lophohelia prolifera) was described by Carlgren in 1940. Due to a renewed interest in the cnidae of L. pertusa, specifically comparisons of adult and larval cnidae and their functions, we now redescribe the cnidome from material collected at the Tisler reef in Norway, close to Carlgren's collection site at ...

Nudibranchs are marine invertebrates that use various defenses to deter predators. Peltodoris nobilis is a member of the superfamily Doridoidea and uses de novo chemical synthesis for defense. Hermissenda crassicornis Aeolidioidea nematocyst sequestration Past research explains function evolution in nudibranchs; however, it unknown whether these active or passive. The goal this was determine if...

Nudibranchs have a mostly carnivorous diet, and they prey on wide variety of other animal taxa. Many species, mainly belonging to the Cladobranchia suborder, feed cnidarians, including member class Hydrozoa. Several hydrozoan species display symbiotic lifestyle, being associated with benthic invertebrates, for instance bryozoans, corals, octocorals, sponges. In our knowledge, no record nudibran...

Myxozoa are microscopic obligate endoparasites with complex live cycles. Representatives are Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease in salmonids, and the enigmatic "orphan worm" Buddenbrockia plumatellae parasitizing in Bryozoa. Originally, Myxozoa were classified as protists, but later several metazoan characteristics were reported. However, their phylogenetic relationsh...

The activation properties of in situ nematocytes of Pelagia noctiluca (Scyphozoa) were investigated by physical contact with a gelatin probe that, besides stimulating the nematocyte battery, retains the discharged nematocysts, thereby allowing a quantitative evaluation of the response. In oral arms previously treated with 2 mmol l-1 La3+ the discharge was inhibited. This result confirms the Ca(...

Sea anemones capture prey by discharging nematocysts into them. Chemical and mechanical cues identify suitable prey to sensory receptor systems on the anemone. Conjugated N-acetylated sugars from prey bind to chemoreceptors on cnidocyte/supporting cell complexes to tune hair bundles on the complexes to lower frequencies matching prey movements. The hair bundles regulate discharge of microbasic ...

Sea anemones discharge cnidae ('stinging capsules' including nematocysts) to capture prey and to defend themselves. In the present study, we tested the relationship between the force of test probes striking feeding tentacles and discharge of microbasic p-mastigophore nematocysts into the test probes. In seawater alone, the response curve is bimodal with maximal discharge observed at 0.33 and 1....