Summary
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1.
A method of measuring the torque developed in the crab eye is used to describe its open loop responses to optokinetic stimuli.
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2.
Measured open loop responses closely resemble previously calculated curves, and the response to velocity is not altered by using different spatial wavelengths in the stimulus.
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3.
Responses evoked by unilaterally blinded animals are approximately half the amplitude of those produced by animals with both eyes seeing.
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4.
Torque measurements reveal two subsystems which produce different rates of torque and myograms show that an early and a late tonic system are correlated with the different torque rates. The latencies of the two muscle systems are velocity dependent.
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5.
The occurrence of a fast phase resets the system and is followed by a period when the optokinetic system is less reactive. Full sensitivity is recovered after about 4 to 5 sec.
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Supported by DFG grant no. 741,29.
On an Alexander v. Humboldt Stipendium.
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Sandeman, D.C., Erber, J. & Kien, J. Optokinetic eye movements in the crab,Carcinus maenas . J. Comp. Physiol. 101, 243–258 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00657185
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00657185