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Science 15 March 1985:
Vol. 227. no. 4692, pp. 1347 - 1349
DOI: 10.1126/science.227.4692.1347
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Articles

Interspecific Morphogens Regulating Prey-Predator Relationships in Protozoa

HANS-WERNER KUHLMANN 1 and KLAUS HECKMANN 1

1 Zoological Institute, University of Münster, Schlossplatz 5, 4400 Münster, Federal Republic of Germany

The ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus and some close relatives of it are triggered by predator-released substances to undergo morphogenetic changes that inhibit their engulfment. The changes occur within a few hours and do not require cell division. They are perpetuated during reproduction so long as the concentration of the morphogen is maintained. The ability of Euplotes to respond to predator-produced signals by a defensive change in cell architecture probably provides an effective mechanism for damping population oscillations ofboth prey and predators andfosters coexistence. The signal-induced cell transformation merits study for its own sake because of its developmental implications.

Submitted on September 6, 1984
Accepted on October 25, 1984


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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