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IMIS - Marine Research Groups

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Physiological study of ophiuroids (Echinodermata, Invertebrata) bioluminescence
www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/forum/ydewael1.html
Period: January 1997
Status: Completed

Thesaurus terms Bioluminescence; Physiology
Taxonomic terms: Echinodermata [WoRMS]; ; ; Ophiuroidea [WoRMS]
  • Université Catholique de Louvain; Earth and Life Institute; Biodiversity pole; Laboratoire de Biologie Marine (BMAR), more, co-ordinator
Light emission in ophiuroids present characteristics varying from one species to the other. Little is known about control mechanisms; this research aims to make a comparative study of bioluminescence control in three ophiuroid species: Amphiura filiformis, Ophiopsila aranea and Ophiopsila californica. Several steps are considered: identification of the nervous control nature using agonists and antagonists of the most common neurotransmitters found in Echinoderms; characterization ofionic movements using patch-clamp techniques in the luminous cells (photocyte) membrane during light emission. Light emission in ophiuroids present characteristics varying from one species to the other. Little is known about control mechanisms; this research aims to make a comparative study of bioluminescence control in three ophiuroid species: Amphiura filiformis, Ophiopsila aranea and Ophiopsila californica. Several steps are considered: identification of the nervous control nature using agonists and antagonists of the most common neurotransmitters found in Echinoderms; characterization ofionic movements using patch-clamp techniques in the luminous cells (photocyte) membrane during light emission.