Primary Assay — Purple Sea Urchin
Locomotion (Tube-Foot)
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Urchins crawl on hundreds of tube feet. Crawl speed and direction quantify integrative motor output and respond to neuromodulators.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Crawl speed | mm/min | Translational velocity |
| Path tortuosity | index | Straightness ratio |
| Tube-foot extension | mm | Podia stretch |
| Net displacement | mm/h | Long-duration travel |
References
Citations for Locomotion (Tube-Foot)
- Sigvardt KA. (1989). Behavioral arousal in sea urchins: spine and tube-foot coordination. Biol Bull, 176(2), 141-147.
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for Purple Sea Urchin Research
Aquarium Behavioral Chamber (Marine)
Adult urchin assays
Larval Tracking Plate (Microscopy)
Pluteus swimming analysis
Shadow Stimulus Arena
Photic reflex testing
Righting-Test Platform
Standardized motor assay
Multi-Channel pH/Temperature Logger
Toxicology and OA studies
Related Assays
Other Purple Sea Urchin Primary Assays
16
Righting Response
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Inverted urchins re-attach via tube feet and right themselves through coordinated podia and spine action. Righting laten…
16
Spine Reflex
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Touching spines elicits coordinated bending toward the stimulus. Reflex amplitude and habituation index the radial nerve…
16
Shadow Response
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
A passing shadow elicits spine erection and tube-foot retraction, an antipredator reflex mediated by photoreceptors dist…
Run Locomotion (Tube-Foot) on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your purple sea urchin facility.
