Skip to main content
Log in

Neuronal syncytia in the giant fibres of earthworms

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

In adult earthworms, the septal membranes separating unicellular giant fibre metameres are absent in most segments, thus resulting in the formation of multicellular neuronal syncytia. The elimination of septa may contribute to a significant reduction in the conduction time along the giant fibres.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Asada, Y. andBennett, M. V. L. (1971) Experimental alteration of coupling resistance at an electrotonic synapse.Journal of Cell Biology 49, 159–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, T. H. (1945) Functional organization of the giant fiber system ofLumbricus.Journal of Neurophysiology 8, 55–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parley, R. D. andMilburn, N. S. (1969) Structure and function of the giant fibre system in the cockroach,Periplaneta americana.Journal of Insect Physiology 15, 457–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Günther, J. (1971) Der cytologische Aufbau der dorsalen Riesenfasern vonLumbricus terrestris L.Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Zoologie (Leipzig) 183, 51–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Günther, J. (1973) A new type of ‘node’ in the myelin sheath of an invertebrate nerve fibre.Experientia 29, 1763–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Günther, J. andSchürmann, F. W. (1973) Zur Feinstruktur des dorsalen Riesenfasersystems im Bauchmark des Regenwurms. II. Synaptische Beziehungen der proximalen Riesenfaserkollateralen.Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie 139, 369–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hama, K. (1959) Some observations on the fine structure of the giant nerve fibres of the earthworm,Eisenia foetida.Journal of Biophysical and Biochemical Cytology 6, 61–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, C. L. andSmyth, T. Jr (1971) Structural details of cockroach giant axons revealed by injected dye.Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 40A, 295–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, W. (1946) The giant myelinated nerve fibres of the prawn.Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B,231, 293–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, G. E. (1924) Giant nerve fibers of crustaceans with special references toCambarus andPalaemonetes.Journal of Comparative Neurology 36, 323–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. (1969) The structural organization of the intracerebral giant fiber system of cephalopods. The chiasma of the first order giant axons.Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie 97, 50–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulloney, B. (1970) Structure of the giant fibers of earthworms.Science 168, 994–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicol, J. A. C. (1948) The giant axons of annelids.Quarterly Review of Biology 23, 291–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oesterle, D. andBarth, F. G. (1973) Zur Feinstruktur einer elektrischen Synapse. Die Septen der dorsalen Riesenfasern von Regenwürmern (Lumbricus terrestris, Eisenia foetida).Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie 136, 139–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pappas, G. D., Asada, Y. andBennett, M. V. L. (1971) Morphological correlates of increased coupling resistance at an electrotonic synapse.Journal of Cell Biology 49, 173–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peracchia, C. (1973) Low resistance junction in crayfish. I. Two arrays of globules in junctional membranes.Journal of Cell Biology 57, 54–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peracchia, C. (1973) Low resistance junctions in crayfish. II. Structural details and further evidence for intercellular channels by freeze-fracture and negative staining.Journal of Cell Biology 57, 66–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remler, M., Selverston, A. andKennedy, D. (1968) Lateral giant fibers of crayfish: location of somata by dye injection.Science 162, 281–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schürmann, F. W. andGünther, J. (1973) Zur Feinstruktur des dorsalen Riesenfasersystems im Bauchmark des Regenwurms. I. Die Somata der Riesenfasern.Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie 139, 351–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinbrecht, R. A. (1969) On the question of nervous syncytia: Lack of axon fusion in two insect sensory nerves.Journal of Cell Science 4, 39–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stough, H. B. (1926) Giant nerve fibers of the earthworm.Journal of Comparative Neurology 40, 409–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, A. andGrundfest, H. (1961) Impulse propagation at the septal and commissural junctions of crayfish lateral giant axons.Journal of General Physiology 45, 267–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J., Besso, J. A., Boldosser, W. G. andParsons, R. L. (1972) The fine structure of the nerve cord ofMyxicola infundibulum (Annelida, Polychaeta).Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie 131, 141–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, J. Z. (1939) Fused neurons and synaptic contacts in the giant nerve fibres of cephalopods.Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B 229, 465–501.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Günther, J. Neuronal syncytia in the giant fibres of earthworms. J Neurocytol 4, 55–62 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01099095

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01099095

Keywords

Navigation