Regeneration of autotomized cerata in Berghia stephanieae


SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
2021 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING (VAM)
January 3 – Febuary 28, 2021

Meeting Abstract


P34-4  Sat Jan 2  Regeneration of autotomized cerata in Berghia stephanieae Thoroughgood, DNF*; Newcomb, JM; New England College; New England College DThoroughgood_UG@nec.edu

Regeneration has been extensively studied in certain groups of invertebrates, such as flatworms, and often occurs after autotomization, in which animals sacrifice a body part to escape from predators. Nudibranchs can autotomize cerata, which are dorsal appendages that contain extensions of the digestive system and can also sometimes be used for respiration. The nudibranch Hermissenda crassicornis can regenerate autotomized cerata, so we hypothesize that a species in the same suborder, Berghia stephanieae, can also regenerate autotomized cerata. To test this hypothesis, five cerata were pinched at their base to promote autotomy of the appendage, from either the anterior (n = 10) or medial (n = 7) region of the animal. The growth of the cerata were measured 2-5 days after initial autotomy, and then every 2-3 days after that for a total of 3 weeks. Initial regeneration of autotomized cerata was visible after 2-3 days and continued at an average rate of 0.09 mm per day. Cerata regained ~90% of their original length after 23-24 days. Anecdotal observations suggest that these regenerated cerata exhibited peristaltic movement after feeding, and thus may have reacquired functionality during this period, as well. Thus, B. stephanieae can regenerate autotomized cerata and may provide a good opportunity for investigating regeneration in a lophotrochozoan outside of the commonly studied flatworms.

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