Abstract
Despite having only a diffuse neural network, tentacles of scyphomedusae exhibit a variety of distinct behavioral acts. One such behavior in tentacles is the capture and subsequent transfer of prey to the mouth. Interaction with prey consists of a variety of distinct stimuli—mechanical contact with the organism, chemical stimulation from the prey, and once captured by the tentacle, the weight of the food particles stretching the tentacle. By isolating and observing these individual stimuli in intact and isolated tentacles of the scyphomedusa, Sanderia malayensis, two separate reflexes have been distinguished. The tentacle feeding response observations suggest that the tentacle has two sensing networks, a bi-directional network for withdrawal and a proximally directed network for feeding.
Summary Statement Two separate reflexes have been distinguished isolated tentacles of the scyphomedusa, Sanderia malayensis, a bi-directional network for withdrawal and a proximally directed network for feeding.