Do frightened Aplysia secrete ink involuntarily?

September 24, 2002
From: Dr. Stephen Hoskins

Dear Bill,
I've been pondering the role(s)of ink and opaline secretions in Aplysia and wondered whether individuals released these chemicals, not as an active form of defence, because there is little evidence to support this idea, but as an involuntary nervous reaction to perceived danger. I'm tempted to use the term "fear" though I appreciate this implies rationalising sensory input which their simple brains may be incapable of.
What are your views on this?
Stephen.

SRH@4TheNet.co.uk

Hoskins, S., 2002 (Sep 24) Do frightened Aplysia secrete ink involuntarily?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8004

Dear Stephen,
Whole university departments have studied aspects of the brain and behaviour of the simple Sea Hare. And the foundation work for Eric Kandel's Nobel Prize was about such things. In all this work I don't think there is any evidence that they can perceive a 'threatening atmosphere' or in 1970s terminology - 'bad vibrations'. Elsewhere I have suggested that 'inking' may be a form of glandular incontinence, but whatever it is, it seems to be the result of some physical assault on their well-being - being stood on, being bitten, being dunked in formalin etc.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Sep 24). Comment on Do frightened Aplysia secrete ink involuntarily? by Dr. Stephen Hoskins. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8004

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