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Triggering of the Stomach Eversion Reflex of Acanthaster planci by Coral Extracts

Nature volume 228, pages 344–346 (1970)Cite this article

Abstract

RECENT observations of Acanthaster planci populations in Micronesia suggest that the animal may eat certain corals in preference to others. The starfish feeds by everting its stomach and applying it to the coral surface. Neither the stimuli evoking stomach eversion nor the mechanism by which the stomach is applied to the coral surface has been described (see Figs. 1 and 2 for explanations of the structure of Acanthaster).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wrightsville Marine Bio-Medical Laboratory, 7205 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401

    R. W. BRAUER & M. J. JORDAN

  2. School of Physics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England

    D. J. BARNES

  3. Marine Laboratory, Discovery Bay, Jamaica, WI

    D. J. BARNES

Authors
  1. R. W. BRAUER
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  2. M. J. JORDAN
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  3. D. J. BARNES
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BRAUER, R., JORDAN, M. & BARNES, D. Triggering of the Stomach Eversion Reflex of Acanthaster planci by Coral Extracts. Nature 228, 344–346 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/228344a0

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