Molgula citrina (Alder and Hancock). Activities and structure of the free‐swimming larva

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Abstract
The activities of the larva and the responses and orientations it makes to external stimulation, and the structural organization by which these activities are produced, are described and figured.Existing systematic confusion of M. citrina with other species (M. manhattensis, M. nana, and M. microsiphonica) is cleared. The duration of the period of larval life is found to vary between 5 and 170 minutes. A proportionally small number retain the larval form a longer time. During larval life, periods of swimming movements alternate with periods of inactivity, the latter, at first of momentary duration, becoming longer and longer until activity ceases.No light receptor exists and no response to light is made. A statolith is found in the sensory vesicle, and frequent geonegative orientations are made during the free‐swimming period. These are of short duration and tend to occur, 1) when it emerges from the parent; 2) at the beginning of each of the frequently recurring periods of swimming activity; 3) immediately upon making contacts. Unoriented movements follow each orientation and constitute much the greater part of behavior.The larva lacks definite organs of attachment. The entire surface of the tunic becomes adhesive at the time of metamorphosis. Only those structures that make up the action systems of the larva are fully differentiated, all other parts are embryonic in condition.

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