Behaviour ofMyxine glutinosaL. in natural habitat investigation of the mud biotope by a suction technique

Abstract

Mud hillocks of the shallow (30 m) Myxine biotope in Ulvikpollen, Hardanger, have been investigated. A suction pipe driven by compressed air from a ship was used in connection with a working stage at the bottom. The animals in their natural habitat exhibit quicker and more varied responses than when observed in aquaria. A specimen of Myxine swam four times as fast as the hitherto reported maximum speed observed in the sea. On the other hand it seems that the perception of the presence of food blocks most of their innate releasing mechanisms. Swimming does not appear to be so strictly thigmo-tactical as earlier considered.