The behavior of actinians in symbiotic associations with pagurids in Japan

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Abstract
Behavior patterns were studied in four actinian species symbiotic with six species of Japanese pagurids. None of these actinians transferred to shells from other surfaces. Unattached Calliactis polypus clung to and settled actively on shells, whether empty or occupied by pagurids or living gastropods. After C. polypus were removed from shells, the formerly settled areas lost temporarily the capacity to elicit the settling response. Detached Paracalliactis japonica remained closed and unresponsive to shells, but when picked up by a pagurid, they relaxed and responded to shells, settling on them by blowing out an adhesive blister from the pedal disk. An unnamed actinian found only on the claw of Diogenes edwardsi responded to shells when detached but when already settled elsewhere it responded only to contact with its pagurid, detaching and settling quickly on the unoccupied chela. Unattached specimens of an unnamed species of the family Sagartiomorphidae clung to shells and settled by everting the pedal disk to form an adhesive umbrella. The discussion comments on (1) the contrast with some other symbiotic actinians which transfer to shells; and (2) the diverse ways by which actinians of different families climb on shells, suggesting that this behavior pattern evolved a number of times independently.

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