Rhythmic swimming of the isopod Exosphaeroma obtusum (Dana)

Abstract

Abstract The tidal swimming rhythm of the New Zealand rocky shore isopod Exosphaeroma obtusum (Dana) is described. Peak swimming was on the ebb tide about 2.5 h after high water; the peak in the dark period was 6–8 times greater in amplitude than the daytime peak. Positive thigmotaxis was shown at all other times. The rhythm period in continuous darkness (free‐running period) was greater than tidal periodicity, and there was a semi‐lunar swimming pattern with peaks at the first and third quarters of the moon. Rheotropic experiments showed that changes in water flow did not initiate the swimming rhythm. The work was compared with the infaunal species Pseudaega punctala and the northern Eurydice pulchra. It was concluded that infaunal species rely more on endogenous control of the swimming rhythm because of their isolation, when buried, from exogenous Zeitgeber.