Abstract
The pagurid Dardanus arrosor loses its activity towards its symbiotic actinian, Calliactis parasitica, after long confinement in an aquarium not containing octopus. The revival of the activity of inactive Dardanus in the presence of octopus, reported by Balasch and Mengual (1974), has been confirmed. Direct contact with the octopus is not necessary for the effect; activity returns when the pagurid receives only the effluent from a tank containing an octopus. The activity does not return when visual cues only are provided. The chemoreceptors involved are not located on the antennules. Effluents from three octopod species and from a cuttlefish restored activity towards Calliactis in Dardanus which had become inactive. The results are discussed in relation to the triggering of the behaviour pattern of Dardanus towards Calliactis.