Publication Date:
2020-11-05
Description:
Two types of "biting" activity in preparations of the isolated buccal mass of Octopus vulgaris have been observed;
(a) "spontaneous biting", which may continue for some hour together with movements of the radular apparatus and
(b) "Evoked biting", a single "bite" cycle elicited by electrical stimulations of the bundle of nerves containing the interbuccal connective.
Mechanical records of the movement of the upper beak relative to the lower one have allowed dividion of the "biting" cycle into closing, closed and opening phases. An "evoked bite" however, always began this sequence with a rapid opening phase. The duration of the "evoked bite" cycle was significantly shorter than "spontaneous bites." Myogram records from mandibular muscles, correlated with mechanical records of beak movements have helped to ascribe functions to these muscles. It is concluded that the "biting" cycle of beak movements can be organised and controlled from the inferior buccal ganglion.
Type:
Article
,
PeerReviewed
Format:
text
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