The rhinophores sense pheromones regulating multiple behaviors in Aplysia fasciata

Pheromones released during mating and egg laying in Aplysia facilitate various aspects of behavior. We now show that the chemosensory rhinophores sense these pheromones. Ablating the rhinophores causes a significant decrease in the time spent mating. In addition, the lesion blocks the increases of feeding in response to pheromones released by egg cordons and by mating conspecifics. Respiratory pumping is significantly increased in response to egg cordons, mating conspecifics and egg laying hormone (ELH). The increase in response to egg cordons is blocked by ablating the rhinophores, but not by lesioning the osphradium, a second chemosensory organ.