Primary Assay — Purple Sea Urchin
Shadow Response
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
A passing shadow elicits spine erection and tube-foot retraction, an antipredator reflex mediated by photoreceptors distributed across the body wall.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spine erection latency | ms | Shadow to response |
| Spine erection magnitude | % | Fraction of spines responding |
| Habituation across trials | rate | Reflex decline |
| Cross-modal interaction | index | Shadow + touch |
References
Citations for Shadow Response
- Yerramilli D, Johnsen S. (2010). Spatial vision in the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. J Exp Biol, 213, 249-255. PMID: 20038657
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
Locomotion (Tube-Foot)
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Urchins crawl on hundreds of tube feet. Crawl speed and direction quantify integrative motor output and respond to neuro…
16
Spine Reflex
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Touching spines elicits coordinated bending toward the stimulus. Reflex amplitude and habituation index the radial nerve…
Run Shadow Response on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your purple sea urchin facility.
