Abstract
Red Ghost Shrimp, Callianassa californiensis, were shown from behavioral and electrophysiological studies to respond to ionizing radiation. When exposed to X-rays at 52 R/sec, the majority of intact animals could detect and avoid further irradiation by escaping into a shielded section of the test chamber. Animals continued to display escape responses after removal of eyestalks and antennae. Significant avoidance activity also occurred with partial-body exposure and indicated the existence of a radiation-sensitive receptor on the abdomen. Electroretinograms elecited by beta- and X-radiation sources corresponded closely with the waveforms produced by visible light stimulation. Electroantennograms were recorded from isolated antennules following stimulation with glutamic acid, beta-, and X-radiation. Biphasic on-off phases were recorded with an intermediate phase present during the longer duration exposures. Similarly, bioelectrical potentials were recorded from swimmeret preparations with exposure to beta- and X-radiation. The electrophysiological evidence indicates that the eye, antennules, and possibly chemoreceptors on the abdominal segments serve as routes for detection of ionizing radiations.
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