Primary Assay — Hydra
Phototaxis
Hydra vulgaris
Hydra moves toward dim light and away from bright light despite lacking eyes. Distribution along a light gradient quantifies whole-body photic sensitivity.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Hydra vulgaris.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Light-zone occupancy | % | Time in test gradient |
| Movement bias | deg | Heading vs light source |
| Locomotion rate change | fold | Light-driven activity |
| Adaptation time | min | Time-course of response |
References
Citations for Phototaxis
- Plachetzki DC, et al. (2012). The origins of novel protein interactions during animal opsin evolution. PLoS One, 7(8), e44025. PMID: 22937154
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for Hydra Research
Multi-Well Behavioral Imaging Plate
High-throughput Hydra behavior
Time-Lapse Microscopy Stage
Long-duration recording
Light-Gradient Arena
Phototaxis assays
Bisection / Regeneration Tracking Setup
Recovery time-course
GCaMP-Compatible Imaging System
Whole-organism neural recording
Related Assays
Other Hydra Primary Assays
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Reduced glutathione released by prey triggers stereotyped tentacle contraction and mouth opening. Latency and duration o…
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Locomotion (Somersaulting)
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Hydra moves by detaching its base, tumbling, and reattaching. Somersault frequency and step distance quantify locomotion…
Run Phototaxis on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your hydra facility.
