Mechanical Senses and the Tunic Structure in Halocynthia roretzi

摘要

It was previously mentioned that the mechanical stimulus (touch)rncaused the active movements of the tunic in Halocynthia roretzi, arnsolitary ascidian. However, how the direction of the mechanicalrnstimulus is important, and what helps the tunic to have mechanicalrnsenses, have not been clear. In this study, whether or not rubbing therntunic outermost surface caused the active deformation, and thernstructural difference between the outermost surface and other regions,rnwere examined. The rubbing caused the tunic deformation as therntouching did. The outermost surface was different from the otherrnregions structurally, and varied by the portion.