Primary Assay — Sea Slug
Feeding / Biting Motor Program
Aplysia californica
The feeding motor program generates rhythmic biting movements that can be conditioned. Bite frequency, ingestion efficiency, and appetitive conditioning provide measures of consummatory behavior and associative learning.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Aplysia californica.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bite frequency | bites/min | Consummatory rate |
| Bite-swallow ratio | ratio | Ingestion efficiency |
| Appetitive conditioning | % change | Learned food preference |
References
Citations for Feeding / Biting Motor Program
- Kupfermann I. (1974). Feeding behavior in Aplysia: a simple system for the study of motivation. Behav Biol, 10(1), 1-26. PMID: 4590727
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for Sea Slug Research
Gill Withdrawal Recording System
Reflex measurement
Siphon Stimulation Apparatus
Withdrawal response testing
Seawater Flow-Through Chamber
Aplysia maintenance and testing
Ink Collection System
Defensive behavior quantification
Feeding Behavior Arena
Consummatory response tracking
Related Assays
Other Sea Slug Primary Assays
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Gill Withdrawal Reflex (Nobel Prize work)
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Siphon Withdrawal Reflex
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The siphon withdrawal reflex complements gill withdrawal as a behavioral readout for learning studies. Withdrawal amplit…
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Sensitization / Habituation Paradigms
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Aplysia enables precise time-course studies of non-associative learning. Short-term and long-term forms of both sensitiz…
Run Feeding / Biting Motor Program on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your sea slug facility.
