THE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY OF THE ORGAN-PIPE CORAL, TUBIPORA MUSICA

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Abstract
The polyps that comprise many anthozoan colonies are capable of independent or autonomous behavior yet are able to take part in colonial responses. In order to understand the mechanisms by which this autonomy is maintained without the loss of the capability for colonial responses, Tubipora was studied electrophysiologically. Colonial polyp retraction, the only colonial response identified in Tubipora, is probably effected by a through-conducting colonial conduction system insensitive to excess Mg++. Impulses associated with this conduction system can be evoked by electrical or mechanical stimuli and invade all polyps in the colony where they facilitate and activate retractor muscles. Impulses identical to those associated with through-conduction can also be recorded spontaneously from individual polyps. These isolated impulses, which are responsible at least in part for the behavior of the polyp, do not leave the polyp in which they originate. There seems to be some asymmetry or rectification of the connection between the colonial conduction system and the polyp system which restricts isolated impulses to the polyp in which they originate, thereby maintaining the autonomy of individual polyps. The results are discussed and compared with those from another colonial anthozoan Renilla koellikeri.