Movement patterns of Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera by changing water temperature in the indoor water tank

Abstract

A series of experiments which observed the movement patterns of starfishs (Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera.) upon changes of water temperature (10, 15, 20 and 25°C) were carried out in an indoor water tank. In the experiment, the moving speed and distance of starfishs (Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera) in the water tank was analyzed based through observations of video camera footage and PVS software. A total of 24 starfishs were used, with an initial body wet weight of 79.86±20.12 g (Asterias amurensis), 66.50±38.03 g (Asterina pectinifera) respetively. The movement patterns of starfishs (Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera.) were observed using video camera for 12 h a day.BR Asterias amurensis showed the highest activity at 15℃ of water temperature. The maximum moving distance and speed of Asterias amurensis were about 2.64 m and approximately 0.0040 ㎧ at 15℃, respectively. The minimum observed moving distance and speed of Asterias amurensis were about 0.40 m at 25℃ and approximately 0.0012 ㎧ at 25℃, respectively.BR On the other hand, Asterina pectinifera showed the highest activity at 25℃ of water temperature. The maximum moving distance and speed of Asterina pectinifera were about 3.18 m and approximately 0.0049 ㎧ at 25°C, respectively. The minimum observed moving distance and speed of Asterina pectinifera were about 0.55 m at 15℃ and approximately 0.0018 ㎧ at 10℃, respectively.BR It was observed that the optimum water temperature for starfishs (Asterias amurensis and Asterina pectinifera) movement was about Asterias amurensis in 15°C and Asterina pectinifera in 25℃, respectively.