Clinotaxis

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The difference between clinotaxis (left) and tropotaxis (right) in the case of a positive taxis . With clinotaxis, the rough direction is maintained by successive comparative measurements at different locations. This is shown in the left organism, which has only one sensor organ and moves it in different directions. In contrast, the organism on the right side has a pair of sense organs. With his movement he tries to establish the excitation equilibrium of both sensors, which brings him to the source of the stimulus on a shorter and faster way. The body aligns itself along the axis from which the stimulus comes. This leads to the maintenance of the stimulus balance and orientation towards the stimulus source. The odor gradient of the food source is symbolized in this sketch by the color gradient.

The term clinotaxis (from ancient Greek κλίυειυ klinein 'tend', 'bend' and τάξις taxis 'order', 'alignment') is used in biology to describe the orientation of freely mobile organisms or cells in the direction of an acting stimulus.

A significant application of clinotaxis for many plants and animals is that which leads to the approach of their gametes .

Pheromones ( chemotaxis ), light ( phototaxis ) or sound waves can serve as possible stimuli . In the case of clinotaxis, the organism or the cell only needs a single sensory organ or a receptor to perceive the stimulus and, if necessary, to be able to follow or evade it. To do this, he can follow two different strategies. In the case of transverse clinotaxis ( English transverse klinotaxis ), the entire body or a part of the body is moved from one side to the other along the path of movement for detection. The difference between the two stimulus impressions is perceived. If the stimulus is stronger on one side, the organism increases its direction of movement there. In the case of longitudinal clinotaxis, the organism successively detects the intensity of the stimulus on its way. If the stimulus subsides, it changes direction until the stimulus becomes stronger again. Both strategies inevitably result in undulating, non-linear locomotion.

Definition of terms

Organisms or cells with at least two sensory organs can align their bodies until there is a stimulus balance between the two sensory organs and then move in the direction of the stimulus source. This form of taxis is known as tropotaxis .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Peter M. Kappeler: Behavioral Biology. Springer, 2006, ISBN 3-540-24056-X , pp. 113-114.
  2. ↑ Jürg M. Brunnschweiler: What are sharks. Aspects of cartilaginous fish biology. Cuvillier, Göttingen 2005, ISBN 3-86537-662-2 , p. 113. Restricted preview in Google book search
  3. ↑ a b c I. Maier: Gamete orientation and induction of gametogenesis by pheromones in algae and plants. In: Plant, Cell & Environment 16, No. 8, 1993, pp. 891-907, doi: 10.1111 / j.1365-3040.1993.tb00513.x .
  4. ^ A b R. L. Miller: Chemotaxis of animal spermatozoa. In: Behavior of Micro-organisms . Springer, US 1973, pp. 31-47.
  5. ^ A b Timothy D. Schowalter: Insect Ecology: An Ecosystem Approach. 2nd Edition. Academic Press, 2006, ISBN 0-08-050881-2 , p. 729. Limited preview in Google Book Search
  6. ↑ Ring T. Cardé, Agenor Mafra-Neto: Mechanisms of Flight of Male Moths to Pheromone. In: Ring T. Cardé, AK Minks (Ed.): Insect Pheromone Research: New Directions Springer, 1997, ISBN 0-412-99611-1 , p. 280. Restricted preview in the Google book search
  7. ^ Bernhard Grzimek : Animal life: Encyclopedia of the animal kingdom. Volume 16, Verlag Kindler, 1967-74, p. 147.