Pheromones linked to sexual behaviors excite the appetitive phase of feeding behavior of Aplysia fasciata . I. Modulation and excitation of appetitive behaviors

Pheromones presumably secreted by mating conspecifics – as well as homogenates containing tissue that is homologous with the atrial gland – increase the time that Aplysia fasciata spend feeding. This effect is caused by increasing the number of feeding episodes initiated in response to food, whereas the duration of a feeding bout remains unchanged. The increase in the number of feeding episodes is related to increases in head waving and crawling, i.e., appetitive movements that bring the animal into contact with food, as well as an increase in the responsiveness to food after it is contacted. Releasing a homogenate containing atrial gland tissue, or egg laying hormone, in the water near the…