Keeping and behaviour of an acorn worm Saccoglossus mereschkowskii (Hemichordata, Enteropneusta) in laboratory conditions

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Abstract

The design of the box is described, which allows to keep the acorn worm Saccoglossus mereschkowskii in laboratory conditions for 60 days and to observe its behavior and feeding. The locomotion and constructing of the burrows in the sediment are provided by peristaltic movements of the proboscis, which periodically changes its shape from cylindrical to mushroom-like, and vice versa. Worms build U-shaped burrows connected by flank anastomoses with the burrows of neighboring specimens. As a result, a branched system of passages is formed in a sediment layer up to 8 cm deep. The importance of such a system of enteropneust’s passages for aerating the upper layers of sediment is noted. When feeding, the proboscis sticks out from the anterior opening of the burrow and stretches along the surface of the sediment. Organic particles adhere to the mucus secreted by the epidermal epithelium of the proboscis, and are transported by ciliary beating to the furrow between the collar and proboscis, where the mouth is located.

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About the authors

А. I. Lukinykh

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: olga_ejova@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

O. V. Ezhova

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: olga_ejova@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

D. А. Klochikhina

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: olga_ejova@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

О. M. Katanova

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: olga_ejova@mail.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

V. V. Malakhov

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: olga_ejova@mail.ru

Academician of the RAS

Russian Federation, Moscow

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2. Fig. 1. Diagram of a glass box for the maintenance and observation of live specimens of Saccoglossus mereschkowskii.

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3. Fig. 2. Three individuals of Saccoglossus mereschkowskii in a box between two glasses for lifetime observation. Scale: 2 cm.

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4. Fig. 3. Proboscis of Saccoglossus mereschkowskii, making a passage in the thickness of sandy soil. Scale: 1 mm.

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5. Fig. 4. Proboscis of Saccoglossus mereschkowskii extending along the soil surface for feeding. Scale: 1 mm.

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