Taxis in Aplysia dactylomela (Rang, 1828) to water-borne stimuli from conspecifics

Abstract

Sixteen reproductively mature Aplysia dactylomela were observed in a unidirectional stream under each of four conditions: sea water only, one sea hare, six sea hares, and a copulating sea hare pair. Streams containing conspecific stimulation were significantly more effective in eliciting a positive taxis towards the stimulus source. A copulating pair was not different from one or six animals in producing the approach. The sea hares showed a distinct final head orientation to six sea hares when compared with sea water only; final orientation did not differ in any other comparison. © 1977 Psychonomic Society, Inc.