Studies on Ethology of Planaria with Reference to Physico-Chemical Stimuli

Planaria are flatworms with unsegmented cephalisation, acoelomate dorso-ventrally flattened organisms constituting neoblasts responsible for characteristic process of regeneration. Anterior cephalic region comprises eyespots and brain interpreting various signals resulting in distinct animal behaviour. Present study focuses on such ethological responses with respect to artificially induced stimuli and way it induces the neuronal stimulation co-relating with regenerative physiological signaling in Planaria. Collection of Planaria was done from various freshwater stations such as Pashan lake, Sarasbaug and Yerawada, Pune. Culture was maintained using artificial pond water and aerator to prepare and cultivate Planarian cells in dark conditions and were fed with sheep liver and egg yolk. Photo-responsiveness was studied using monochromatic light generated from 500 lux white light. Planaria are negatively photo-tactic and tend to repel when exposed to artificially induced light. Planaria was treated 0.05 N formalin to observe its response to chemical stimulus. Eversion of pharynx was found out to be defence mechanism in Planaria. Planaria everted out its food feeding apparatus in response to formalin. Neoblasts were stained with acetocarmine, recorded to initiate process of regeneration were dispersed in response to formalin.. Present study infers that for undergoing regeneration Planaria has to degenerate itself. Such Behavioral responses and its canonical mechanisms can be leading to a path of cell signalling in cancer biology and stem cell research. Planarian diversity seems to be confined to certain trajectory path extensively around limnologic sources of Pune, Maharashtra. Owing to surplus reasons, we need to look forward to some ways of conserving Planaria.