Life span and age-related changes in activity level of the rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli: influence of curare

The rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli shows a continuous decline in swimming activity through the course of its 5-day life span. This activity loss occurs at a slower rate when rotifers are treated with very low dosages (0.00025% to 0.0005%) curare. Rotifers treated with these low dosages of curare have a significantly longer life span than that of untreated control rotifers.