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Synergic effects of tryptamine and octopamine on ophiuroid luminescence (Echinodermata)
Vanderlinden, C.; Mallefet, J. (2004). Synergic effects of tryptamine and octopamine on ophiuroid luminescence (Echinodermata). J. Exp. Biol. 207(21): 3749-3756. dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01209
In: The Journal of Experimental Biology. Cambridge University Press: London. ISSN 0022-0949; e-ISSN 1477-9145, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Amphiura filiformis (O.F. Müller, 1776) [WoRMS]; Echinodermata [WoRMS]; Ophiopsila aranea Forbes, 1843 [WoRMS]; Ophiopsila californica A.H. Clark, 1921 [WoRMS]; Ophiuroidea [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Amphiura filiformis; echinoderm; Ophiosila aranea; Ophiopsilacalifornica; ophiuroid; octopamine; pharmacology; tryptamine;luminescence

Authors  Top 
  • Vanderlinden, C.
  • Mallefet, J., more

Abstract
    In ophiuroids, bioluminescence is under nervous control. Previous studies have shown that acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter triggering light emission in Amphipholis squamata and Amphiura filiformis. By contrast, none of the neurotransmitters tested so far induced luminescence in two other ophiuroid species, Ophiopsila aranea and Ophiopsila californica. The aim of this work was thus to investigate the putative involvement of two biogenic amines, tryptamine and octopamine, in light emission of three ophiuroid species. A. filiformis responds to both tryptamine and octopamine, mainly on its arm segments, while O. californica only responds to tryptamine stimulation. By contrast, tryptamine and octopamine do not seem to be involved in O. aranea luminescence control since none of these substances induced light emission in this species. The synergic effects of several other drugs with tryptamine and octopamine were also tested.

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