FURTHER STUDIES IN THE BEHAVIOR OF COMMENSAL POLYCHAETES

Abstract

A new water-table apparatus for the investigation of commensal response behavior is described. Commensal Podarke pugettensis shows a strong response to its host animal, while free-living members of the same species show no such response to the same animals. Podarke commensal with Luidia in Puget Sound shows a less precise response specificity than does Podarke commensal with Patiria in S. California. Evidence is presented that 3 populations of Arctonoe fragilis which inhabit different hosts respond to their respective hosts alone. The specificity of response of Arctonoe vittata is also described.