Tactile localisation: the function of active antennal movements in the crayfishCherax destructor

Summary

• 1. Video recordings and single frame analysis were used to study the function of the second antennae of crayfish (Cherax destructor) as a sensory system in freely behaving animals.

• 2. Walking crayfish move their antennae back and forth through horizontal angles of 100° and more, relative to the body long axis (Fig. 1). At rest, animals tend to hold their antennae at angular positions between 20 and 50°. Movements of the two antennae are largely independent of each other. Before and during a turn of the body the ipsilateral antenna is moved into the direction of the turn (Figs. 1, 2). Solid objects are explored by repeatedly moving the antennae towards and across them.

• 3. Both seeing and blinded crayfish can locate stationary objects following antennal contact (Figs. 2, 3). On antennal contact with a small novel object, a moving animal withdraws its antenna and attacks the object.

• 4. When the antenna of a blinded crayfish is lightly touched with a brush the animal turns and attacks the point of stimulation (Fig. 4). The direction taken and the distance covered during an attack can be correlated with: 1. the angle at which the antenna is held at the moment of contact and 2. the distance along the antennal flagellum at which the stimulus is applied (Figs. 5, 7).

• 5. From behavioural evidence we conclude that crayfish use information about the angular position of their antennae and about the position of stimulated mechanoreceptors along the antennal flagellum to locate objects in their environment. We suggest ways in which an active tactile system — like the crayfish's antennae — could supply animals with information about the three-dimensional layout of their environment (Fig. 8).