An Experimental Analysis of the Escape Response of the Gastropod Strombus maculatus

Abstract

The escape response of Strombus maculatus is described in detail, including the apparent adaptive morphology of the foot, operculum, and eyestalks. The response is elicited by a chemical stimulus from two molluscivorous species of Conus and two gastropod-eating species of Cymatium but not from other predatory species of these genera. Strombus habituated within three trials to a solution of "factor" from Conus pennaceus, but habituated only rarely, and then only after many trials, to contact with the live Conus. It was concluded that the eyes of S. maculatus are not used to see the Conus; however, eye removal significantly disrupted the orientation of the escape response, suggesting that the animal monitors some environmental cue such as polarized light. Tentacle removal appeared to interfere with escape response orientation but only to a variable extent.