Observations on the Tropisms of Dorylaimus saprophilus and Rhabditis succaris

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
(1) The reactions of Dorylaimus under ordinary conditions of life are noted, especially its mode of progression and its burrowing habit.(2) Some experiments were carried out with a view to finding out what physical and chemical stimuli are responsible for bringing about these reactions.(3) The possibility of hydrotropism, thermotropism, geotropism, stereotropism, heliotropism and chemotropism are considered.(4) The conclusion to be drawn from the data is, that taken on the whole, eelworms do not exhibit well marked tropic responses except in the case of stereotropism. It is obvious here, however, that they do everything in their power to put their body surface in contact with some solid object. This need explains why the worms are always found in the interstices of the zoogloeal film round the clinker. No other tropic response is needed to explain this habitat.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: