Responses of copepods to dissolved free amino acids

Abstract

The first maxilla (M1) beating frequency of Temora longicornis , which is considered to be an index of feeding behaviour, was measured using a computerized micro-impedance technique, in filtered seawater as a control, and after exposure to 9 different particle-free mixtures of equimolar (10 super(-6) M) amino acids dissolved in seawater. Mixtures containing 29 dissolved free amino acids were all detected by this copepod. Amino acids are among the bioactive molecules responsible for triggering chemosensory feeding responses in copepods.