Summary
In rock lobsters,Panilurus vulgaris, Jasus lalandii, the coxo-basipodite (C-B) and the mero-carpopodite (M-C) joints are mainly involved in body posture and in locomotion. In order to determine the functional relationships between these two joints the reflex effects induced by the C-B and M-C proprioceptors onto the muscles of their own joint (intrasegmental reflexes) or of the other joint (intersegmental reflexes) have been studied.
In addition to these proprioceptive actions the motor function of the cuticular stress detector sensory organ (CSD) has also been studied.
Three different reflex patterns can be obtained:
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1.
Diffuse facilitation. Pressure applied on the CSD organ generally increases both tonic and reflex activity of the C-B and M-C muscles (Figs. 2, 4, 5, 7). M-C extension activates simultaneously depressor and levator C-B muscle discharges (Figs. 3, 4).
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2.
Reciprocal reflex effects. At the level of each joint the well known resistance reflexes modulate in opposite ways the antagonistic muscles. Stretch and release of the CB chordotonal organ respectively activate the levator and depressor C-B muscles (Fig. 2). The M-C joint flexion activates the extensor M-C muscle, the M-C joint extension increases the discharge of the flexor and accessory flexor M-C muscles (Fig. 5).
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In addition, CB chordotonal organ acts similarly on the M-C muscles. Its stretch increases the extensor activity, its release increasing the flexor and accessory flexor discharges (Figs. 6–7).
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3.
Selective modulation of motoneuron activities. Some sensory inputs can differentially modulate the activities of the different motoneurones of a given muscle (Figs. 3–6).
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Abbreviations
- C-B :
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coxo-basipodit joint
- CB :
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C-B joint chordotonal organ
- M-C :
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mero-carpopodite joint
- MC :
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M-C joint chordotonal organs (two sensory organs, MC1 and MC2)
- MCO :
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myochordotonal organ
- CSD :
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cuticular stress detector
- PD :
-
P-D (propo-dactylopodite) joint chordotonal organ
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This work was supported by an INSERM Grant (A.T.P. N∘ 21.76.61.011).
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Vedel, J.P., Clarac, F. Combined reflex actions by several proprioceptive inputs in the rock lobster walking legs. J. Comp. Physiol. 130, 251–258 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614611
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614611