Methylcellulose: An alternative medium for the study of burrowing aquatic invertebrates

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Abstract
Methylcellulose mixed with sea water forms a highly transparent, viscous solution which is palpably similar to certain natural marine sediments such as oozes and flocculent muds. Two invertebrates, a polychaete [Polyphysia crassa] and a priapulid [Priapulus caudatus], were observed burrowing in methylcellulose/sea water solution. Such a medium is superior to other artificial substrata (e.g. cryolite and glass particles) in terms of transparency and penetrability which are especially critical when observing soft-bodied invertebrates and when quantification of the relative advance of individual appendages or segments is required.