A major ecologically important group of marine animals are the jellyfish, or cnidarians. They form a major part of the drifting animals living near the ocean surface, and different species show different selection of prey animals on which they feed. Jellyfish capture their prey animals by using the stinging cells (cnidocytes) in the tentacles only when the prey comes into contact with the jellyfish. So the observed selective feeding on either fish or crustaceans requires some sensory mechanism for the jellyfish to distinguish prey. This study will use modern neurophysiological techniques of patch-clamping on the stinging cells, and address the important question of whether there is some chemosensory regulation of release of the stingers. The impact of this Career Advancement Award will enhance Dr. Jennifer Purcell's career capability significantly, and results will be important to chemosensory science, animal behavior, neurobiology, and marine biology.
