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Abstract
Tactile stimulation of open globiferous pedicellariae causes a repeatable further‐opening response (F.O.R.) in which the jaws move from the 90° position to the 180° one. Contact chemical stimulation using starfish tube‐feet or tube‐foot mucus causes closure and venom release. After this the jaws are usually lost as they are of no further use. Removal of these pedicellariae from the test does not abolish their responses which have been analysed to determine effective stimuli, receptor distribution, response quality, latency, speed and duration. The results have been related to the structure and defence potential of these pedicellariae.