An investigation on the swimming reaction of the anemone Stomphia coccinea. I. Partial isolation of a reacting substance from the asteroid dermasterias imbricata

Behaviorally the sea anemone, Stomphia coccinea, is an unusual actinarian compared to other members of the Actinaria. When the asteroid, Dermasterias imbricata, is brought into contact with Stomphia it responds by propelling itself through the water by a series of whip‐like swimming motions. Tissue homogenates from the aboral surface of Dermasterias proved to be as effective as the entire animal. Homogenates from all other tissues gave negative results. The substance which causes the swimming response is dialyzable, thermostable, and from qualitative tests proved to be primarily carbohydrate. Acidic hydrolysis (HCL) of the polysaccharide revealed three definitive products. Enzymatic hydrolysis by hemicellulase yields the same compounds but caused a complete degradation of the substance. Chromatographic results showed that the compounds are probably products from an amino‐polysaccharide.