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Journal of Experimental Biology 51,47-58 (1969)
Published by Company of Biologists 1969

Locomotion and Coelomic Pressure in Lumbricus Terrestris L

M. K. SEYMOUR ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, The University Hull

1. Crawling movement and burrowing of Lumbricus terrestris (L.) have been studied by continuous recording of internal pressure, direct observation and analysis of cine film. Frequency of locomotory waves is from 5 to 20 per min. Timing of protrusion of setae and of backward slip of points d'appui in locomotion have been observed and recorded.

2. In normal locomotion elongation of segments by contraction of the circular muscles gives rise to a discrete pressure pulse; shortening, by contraction of the longitudinal muscles, may or may not do so, depending on the position of the segment in the worm and the relative extent of contraction of the longitudinal and circular muscles.

3. Consideration of crawling and burrowing pressure records emphasizes the importance of (a) the circular muscles in extension of the head end in crawling and in initial penetration of the soil, and (b) the longitudinal muscles during burrowing, in dilating the burrow and drawing in more posterior segments

4. Mean pressures at circular and longitudinal muscle contraction are 12 and 7 cm. H₂O respectively. The highest pressure recorded was 75 cm. H₂O and accompanied violent squirming with evident contraction of all the body wall muscles. Resting pressures, shown in the absence of organized movement, are low (mean 0.26 cm. H₂O). In both resting and crawling negative pressures sometimes occur and these are considered in relation to the inherent stiffness of the body wall and to the septate condition.

5. Tension in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of a worm developing 75 cm. H₂O internal pressure are calculated to be 265 and 1323 g./cm². respectively, demonstrating in this example that, relative to the circulars, the longitudinal muscles are understressed by a factor of 5. Mean locomotory L.M. and C.M. peak values yield tension values of only 25 and 212 g./cm. respectively, and these are clearly well within the worm's capacity.

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