title: Actions of atmospheric ionization on spontaneous activity of an amphibian larva.
abstract: In Pleurodeles waltlii (Urodela) larvae, spontaneous activity and the tendency to leave water are significantly influenced by artificial air ionization. Atmospheric ions of negative and positive polarities have opposite effects: the latter reduce spontaneous activity by 48% whereas negative ions increase it by 39%. This difference must be considered the result of a specific behavioral effect rather than attributable to the stage of development of the larvae. A comparison of our results with data in the literature indicates that the action of the air ions on amphibian activity may involve the modulation of serotonin and prolactin releases.
mesh_terms: D000390:Air Ionization; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D007814:Larva; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D009043:Motor Activity; D014562:Caudata / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water