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Water-flow sensitive pedal neurons in Tritonia: role in rheotaxis

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Summary

We have identified 13 pairs of neurons in the pedal ganglia of the marine nudibranch slug Tritonia diomedea that responded tonically and/or phasically to water-flow directed at the rhinophore sheaths and oral veil tips. Most of the neurons responded equally to inputs from either side of the body, but 6 pairs responded with greater intensity to ipsilateral water-flow stimuli. When stimulated intracellularly in a semi-intact, whole-animal preparation, 4 of these 6 pairs of neurons caused ipsilateral movements that may turn the animal towards that side. These observations suggest a role for these current-sensitive neurons in the previously described orientation to water-currents in Tritonia diomedea.

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Murray, J.A., Hewes, R.S. & Willows, A.O.D. Water-flow sensitive pedal neurons in Tritonia: role in rheotaxis. J Comp Physiol A 171, 373–385 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223967

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