Luminescence in polynoids II. Different modes of response in the elytra

Abstract

Elytra of polynoids show two kinds of luminescent responses, viz. a quick flash (duration ca. 100 msec) and prolonged glow (duration 0·25–10 sec). Quick flashes are produced by nervous excitation; prolonged glow responses accompany or follow fast repetitive flashing, or are elicited by strong electrical stimuli. Anaesthetized isolated elytra still give the prolonged glow response when electrically stimulated. Facilitation is also evident in consecutive glow responses. From these various observations it is concluded that the prolonged glow response can be produced by fast repetitive nervous excitation or by direct electrical excitation of the photocytes. The occurrence of facilitation in glow responses of anaesthetized elytra raises the problem whether the same phenomenon in consecutive normal flashes may be due to intracellular changes taking place within the photocytes.