Skip to main content
Log in

Mucus antigenicity in sea anemones and corals

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The antigenicities of external mucus from the sea anemones Stoichactis haddoni, Radianthus ritteri and Gyrostoma hertwigi and from the coral Trachyphyllia geoffroyi were compared. Marked differences were found between species but not within species. The differences suggested that mucus composition might be species specific, and hence that it might be one of the factors used by sea anemones and corals in the recognition of foreign anthozoan species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benson, A. A. & Muscatine, L. 1974. Wax in coral mucus: energy transfer from corals to reef fishes. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19: 810–814.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bigger, C. H. 1976. The acrorhagial response in Anthopleura krebsi: intraspecific and interspecific recognition. In: Coelenterate Ecology and Behaviour (ed. Mackie, G. O.) pp. 127–136. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, S. L. & Strathmann, R. 1973. Observation on coral mucus ‘flocs’ and their potential trophic significance. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18: 673–678.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daumas, R. & Thomassin, B. A. 1977. Protein fractions in coral and zoantharian mucus; possible evolution in coral reef environment. Proc. third int. coral reef symp. 1: 518–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hildemann, W. H., Raison, R. L., Cheung, G., Hull, C. J., Akaka, L. & Okamoto, J. 1977. Immunological specificity and memory in a scleractinian coral. Nature 270: 219–223.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mariscal, R. N. 1974. Nematocysts. In: Coelenterate Biology: Reviews and New Perspectives (ed. Muscatine, L. & Lenhoff, H. M.), pp. 129–178. Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, E. J. 1967. Antitoxin against a coelenterate poison. Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol. 32: 342–348.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, E. J. 1968. Specific antigens released into sea water by contracting anemones (Coelenterata). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 25: 169–176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schlichter, D. 1976. Macromolecular mimicry: substances released by sea anemones and their role in the protection of anemone fishes. In: Coelenterate Ecology and Behavior (ed. Mackie, G. O.) pp. 433–441. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lubbock, R. Mucus antigenicity in sea anemones and corals. Hydrobiologia 66, 3–6 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019132

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00019132

Keywords

Navigation