Summary
Situated in the basi-ischiopodite of the brachyuran Carcinus maenas are two receptors which resemble the chordotonal receptors of the limb articulations but are obviously not part of the series associated with the joints. The receptors have large numbers of bipolar neurons with their dendrites embedded in distinct connective tissue strands which insert onto discrete areas of thin or soft cuticle. The receptor strands do not span a limb joint nor do they attach to a muscle or its tendon. The receptors are referred to as cuticular stress detectors (CSD). CSD.1 lies proximal to the preformed breakage plane and the area of cuticle onto which the strand inserts, lies close to the attachment of the anterior levator muscle tendon (autotomiser muscle). CSD.2 which lies distal to the breakage plane is located in the ventral ischiopodite.
Because of the proximity of the receptors to the preformed breakage plane the external cuticular features of the basi-ischiopodite and the musculature of the coxo-basipodite joint are described in some detail.
Comparative details are given for representative species of the Maerura and Anomura. The nephropsideans, Macrura, are particularly interesting as only the 1st pereiopod, chela, exhibits true autotomy but both receptors are present in all the pereiopods.
A third group of bipolar neurons is described in Palinurus vulgaris where they innervate the membrane that seals the aperture after breakage.
The dual role of the two levator muscles in both posture control and autotomy and possible functions of the CSDs are discussed at length.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bliss, D. E.: Autotomy and regeneration. In: The physiology of Crustacea, vol. 1, p. 561–589, Waterman, T. H. ed. New York: Academic Press 1960.
Brousse-Gaury, P.: Contribution à l'étude de l'autotomie chez Acheta domestica. Bull. biol. France Belg. 92, 55–85 (1958).
Bullock, T. H., Horridge, G. A.: Structure and function in the nervous systems of invertebrates, vol. 2. San Franciso: W. H. Freeman and Co. 1965.
Bush, B. M. H.: Leg reflexes from chordotonal organs in the crab, Carcinus maenas. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 15, 567–587 (1965).
Busson, Y.: Observations sur l'autotomie et la régénération de la pince chez le Bernard l'Ermite. Trav. Stn. biol. Roscoff 13, 133–153 (1935).
Clarac, F.: Proprioceptor anatomy of the ischiopodite-meropodite region in legs of the crab Carcinus mediterraneus. Z. vergl. Physiol. 61, 203–223 (1968).
—, Masson, C.: Anatomie comparée des propriocepteurs de la région basi-ischioméropodite chez certains crustacés décapodes. Z. vergl. Physiol. 65, 242–273 (1969).
—, Wales, W.: Contrôle sensoriel des muscles élévateurs au cours de la marche et de l'autotomie chez certains Crustacés Décapodes. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) Ser. D 271, 2163–2166 (1970).
—, Laverack, M. S.: Stress detection at the autotomy plane in the Decapod Crustacea. II. The function of receptors associated with the cuticle of the basi-ischiopodite. Z. vergl. Physiol. 73, 383–407 (1971).
Demoor, J.: Etude des manifestations mortices des crustacés au point de vue des fonctions nerveuses. Arch. Zool. exp. gén. 2eme ser., 9, 191–227 (1891).
Frédéricq, L.: Sur l'autotomie. Ou mutilation par voie réflexe comme moyen de défense chez les animaux. Archs Zool. exp. gén. 2eme ser., 1, 413–426 (1883).
—: Nouvelles recherches sur l'autotomie chez le crabe. Arch. Biol. (Paris) 12, 169–197 (1891).
Horch, K. W., Salmon, M.: Production, perception and reception of acoustic stimuli by semiterrestrial crabs (Genus Ocypode and Uca, family Ocypodidae). Forma et functio 1, 1–25 (1969).
Howse, P. E.: The fine structure and functional organization of chordotonal organs. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. 23, 167–198 (1968).
McVean, A. R.: Neuromuscular co-ordination in Carcinus maenas. Ph. D. thesis. University of Wales, Cardiff, Wales (1970).
Mendelson, M.: Electrical and mechanical characteristics of a very fast lobster muscle. J. Cell Biol. 42, 548–563 (1969).
Paul, J. H.: A comparative study of the reflexes of autotomy in Decapod Crustacea. Proc. roy. Soc. Edinb. B 35, 232–262 (1915).
Taylor, R. C.: The anatomy and adequate stimulation of a chordotonal organ in the antennae of a hermit crab. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 20, 709–717 (1967).
Wales, W., Clarac, F., Dando, M. R., Laverack, M. S.: Innervation of the receptors present at the various joints of the pereiopods and third maxilliped of Homarus gammarus (L.) and other Macruran Decapods (Crustacea). Z. vergl. Physiol. 68, 345–384 (1970).
Waterman, T. H., Chace, F. A., Jr.: General crustacean biology. In The physiology of Crustacea, vol. 1, p. 1–33, Waterman, T. H. (ed.) New York: Academic Press 1960.
Whitear, M.: The fine structure of crustacean proprioceptors. I. The chordotonal organs in the legs of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. Phil. Trans. B 245, 291–325 (1962).
Wood, F. D., Wood, H. E.: Autotomy in decapod Crustacea. J. exp. Zool. 62, 1–49 (1932).
Wyse, G. A., Maynard, D. M.: Joint receptors in the antennule of Panulirus argus. J. exp. Biol. 42, 521–535 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. P. Shepheard of The Fisheries Research Board of Canada, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, for supplying the pereiopods of the American Lobster, Homarus americanus, and to Dr. A. McVean for his helpful discussion.
This work was supported in part by European Science Exchange Programme study visit grants awarded to F. Clarac and W. Wales.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wales, W., Clarac, F. & Laverack, M.S. Stress detection at the autotomy plane in the decapod crustacea. Z. Vergl. Physiol. 73, 357–382 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00297953
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00297953