Definition of thigmotaxis in English:
thigmotaxis
noun ˌθɪɡməˈtaksɪsˌTHiɡməˈtaksəs
mass nounBiology The motion or orientation of an organism in response to a touch stimulus.
Example sentencesExamples
- Note that even though the animal samples the entire cylinder when the negative stimuli are off, it responds to the negative stimuli by turning around and moving directly towards the goal area, rather than exhibiting thigmotaxis.
- It has been found, however, that Typhlichthys subterraneus does have a strong thigmotaxis and keeps the top of its head touching and parallel to surfaces.
- Conversely, psychomotor stimulants tend to increase locomotion and exploration without altering thigmotaxis.
- Both fight control and thigmotaxis involve mechanoreceptive inputs from different parts of the body.
- If correct, phobotaxis, strophotaxis, and thigmotaxis are thus consequences, and not the causes, of the observed movements.
Derivatives
adjective
Biology Thrips adults and larvae are thigmotactic, preferring to hide in complex plant parts, flower buds and other folded tissue where they are difficult to detect and to reach with insecticides.
Example sentencesExamples
- The thigmotactic behavior observed in the preliminary studies confirms the high priority of defensive behaviors.
- The entire structure of the dorsal polar band was called the ‘comb’ by Kahl and interpreted as a set of thigmotactic cilia.
- These results suggest that the bug's thigmotactic response might be a key factor explaining the observed preferences for leather.
- Note that most anterior cirral pairs develop in one anlage with a row of thigmotactic cirri on the left side; and about ten posteriormost pairs develop in one anlage each with one transverse cirrus.
Origin
Early 20th century: from Greek thigma 'touch' + taxis.