Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The pinnotherid Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) is a common symbiont
with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and
West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population
were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated
chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were
recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host ascidians.
Results of conditioning trials suggest that T. moseri is a generalist in host use and accepts
novel host species after conditioning with Molgula occidentalis and Phallusia nigra.
However, T. moseri prefers S. plicata after conditioning with novel host species. The
results of this study suggest that any genetic divergence existing between geographically
disjunct populations of T. moseri are probably due to limited dispersal potential rather
than population specific host fidelity and host use characteristics.
with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and
West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population
were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated
chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were
recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host ascidians.
Results of conditioning trials suggest that T. moseri is a generalist in host use and accepts
novel host species after conditioning with Molgula occidentalis and Phallusia nigra.
However, T. moseri prefers S. plicata after conditioning with novel host species. The
results of this study suggest that any genetic divergence existing between geographically
disjunct populations of T. moseri are probably due to limited dispersal potential rather
than population specific host fidelity and host use characteristics.
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