Summary
The skeletal morphology, musculature and innervation of the mandible of the common lobster,Homarus gammarus, are described as a basis for the functional study included in the two subsequent papers.
Although the mandible articulation takes the form of a hinge with movement in a single plane, the musculature of the mandible is complex. The main muscles are similar to those ofAstacus (Schmidt, 1915) but some smaller, previously undescribed muscles were found.
As forAstacus (Keim, 1915) andCambarus (Chaudonneret, 1956) the mandibular muscles are innervated by two nerve trunks, the inner and outer mandibular nerves. However, differences occur in the branching of these nerves and the muscles which they innervate.
A group of sensory cells associated with the posterior stomach nerve (omn 4) are described. It is suggested that these form a proprioceptive organ associated with the hypodermis overlying the lateral mandible articulation.
An interesting group of neurones lying at the confluence of nerve branches from omn 2, omn 3, and omn 4 is described.
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Wales, W., Macmillan, D.L. & Laverack, M.S. Mandibular movements and their control inHomarus gammarus . J. Comp. Physiol. 106, 177–191 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00620497
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00620497