Abstract
PLANULÆ of Aurelia were washed out of the brooding pits of the mother medusa and allowed to settle down in small dishes about 35 mm. wide and about 7 mm. high (very suitable for microscopic investigation). These dishes were gently placed in large basins (capacity about two litres) and left undisturbed until the larvæ got hold of their substratum. This usually took about 36 hours, after which time the basins were placed under running sea water, thus giving the larvæ access to their natural food. However, it was observed that certain scyphistomsæ attacked their neighbours. The 'aggressor' would extend its body until the mouth would reach the 'victim'; then the mouth would be widened so as to enclose the greater part of the victim, which would resist and stick firmly to the substratum. A struggle would take place, but at last the whole body of the victim would be taken in the cœlenteron of the aggressor. The scyphistomæ usually bud off a number of individuals which separate and settle down round the mother-scyphistoma, but cannibalism has not been observed among members of such a group.
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EL-DUWEINI, A. Cannibalism in Aurelia. Nature 155, 337 (1945). https://doi.org/10.1038/155337a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/155337a0
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