Circumesophageal Interneurons and Behavior in Crayfish

Abstract

The intent of this chapter is to focus attention on the special role of circumesophageal interneurons (INs) in the mediation of behavior in crustaceans. In addition to summarizing our current knowledge of several classes of neural elements in these connectives, we will note the advantages and disadvantages of this segment for study. Finally, we will set forth a plan of further experimentation with the aim of gaining more direct information on the role of circumesophageal connective fibers (CECs) that underlie certain behaviors. We have selected for study not only behaviors which are reliably under environmental control but also those known to have putative underlying commands. The final step, which has not yet been completely achieved, is to obtain direct recording access to both the selected behavior and the neural activity and, by using several experimental methods, to correlate the two in an effort to define their causal relationships.