Novel cell and tissue dynamics drive the unusual biology of the catch tentacle, an inducible organ of aggression found in the sea anemone <i>Metridium senile</i>

house similar types of cnidocytes that develop from proliferative cells distributed throughout the tentacle. By contrast, catch tentacles house distinct cnidocyte types from feeding tentacles and restrict proliferative cells to the base of the tentacle. This suggests immature cnidocytes migrate from base to tip to replace lost cells after an aggressive interaction in the catch tentacle. Additionally, we observed two morphologically and chemically distinct types of holotrichs in the catch tentacles that appear to use different cues to induce firing. Together, our data suggests that the novelty of catch tentacle aggression is mediated by distinct cell and tissue dynamics.

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Publication Details

Journal
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Published
2026-04-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.13.718255
Primary Topic
Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Novel cell and tissue dynamics drive the unusual biology of the catch tentacle, an inducible organ of aggression found in the sea anemone Metridium senile

Leslie S. Babonis, Kennedy Bolstad, Sarah E. Arnold, Rowan N Lopez
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
article

Novel cell and tissue dynamics drive the unusual biology of the catch tentacle, an inducible organ of aggression found in the sea anemone Metridium senile

Leslie S. Babonis, Kennedy Bolstad, Sarah E. Arnold, Rowan N Lopez
article en

Abstract

house similar types of cnidocytes that develop from proliferative cells distributed throughout the tentacle. By contrast, catch tentacles house distinct cnidocyte types from feeding tentacles and restrict proliferative cells to the base of the tentacle. This suggests immature cnidocytes migrate from base to tip to replace lost cells after an aggressive interaction in the catch tentacle. Additionally, we observed two morphologically and chemically distinct types of holotrichs in the catch tentacles that appear to use different cues to induce firing. Together, our data suggests that the novelty of catch tentacle aggression is mediated by distinct cell and tissue dynamics.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Cornell University (US), New York State University College of Human Ecology (US)
National Institutes of Health
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 17%
Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
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Novel cell and tissue dynamics drive the unusual biology of the catch tentacle, an inducible organ of aggression found in the sea anemone <i>Metridium senile</i> — Leslie S. Babonis, Kennedy Bolstad, et al. · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS