Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Three classes of input to a semicircular canal interneuron in the crab,Scylla serrata, and a possible output

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A large descending interneuron in the crab (fibre 5) has three input channels which have been shown to be separate by selective inactivation. These are (1) statocyst input (2) leg joint input and (3) a non specific input. Excitatory statocyst input has been reported previously (Fraser and Sandeman, 1975; Fraser, 1975), and inhibitory statocyst input has been demonstrated by examining the combined effect of statocyst input and other inputs. Leg joint input occurs when the coxopodite of any leg is retracted at the thoracic-coxopodite (T-C) joint. The effect of this input is to increase the frequency and duration of fibre 5 firing to a displacement of the body of the crab relative to the legs (Fig. 2). Non specific input occurs most readily in a well rested animal which is inverted. A single touch anywhere on the crab elicits a sustained high frequency train of spikes which is correlated with cyclical leg movements (Fig. 1). Cutting the optic tracts abolishes this pathway.

Fibre 5 inScylla has an overt behavioural correlate in the stereotyped pattern of leg movements associated with the non specific input. This same behavioural sequence can be evoked during rotation of the crab and on low current electrical stimulation of fibre 5. Fibre 5 can thus be regarded as a command fibre for this reflex.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bethe, A.: Das Nervensystem vonCarcinus maenas. Arch. mikr. Anat.50, 460–546 (1897)

    Google Scholar 

  • Burrows, M., Rowell, C. H. F.: Connections between descending visual interneurons and metathoracic motoneurons in the locust. J. comp. Physiol.85, 221–234 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush, B. M. H., Godden, D. H.: Tension changes underlying receptor potentials in non-impulsive crab muscle receptors. J. Physiol. (Lond.)242, 80P-82P (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush, B. M. H., Wiersma, C. A. G., Waterman, T. H.: Efferent mechanoreceptive responses in the optic nerve of the crabPodophthalmus. J. cell. comp. Physiol.64, 327–346 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarac, F., Dando, M. R.: Tension receptor reflexes in the walking legs of the crabCancer pagurus. Nature (Lond.)243, 94–95 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, D. M.: The skeletal musculature of the blue crabCallinectes sapidus Rathbun. Smithsonian misc. Coll.92, 1–76 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, W. J.: Lobster righting responses and their neural control. Proc. roy. Soc. B70, 435–456 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, P. J.: Interneurones in crab connectives [Carcinus maenas (L.)]: Directional statocyst fibres. J. exp. Biol.61, 615–628 (1974)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, P. J.: Free hook hair and thread hair input to fibre 5 in the mud crab,Scylla serrata, during antennule rotation. J. comp. Physiol.103, 291–313 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, P. J., Sandeman, D. C.: Effects of angular and linear accelerations on semicircular canal interneurons of the crabScylla serrata. J. comp. Physiol.96, 205–221 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazlett, B. A.: Non visual functions of crustacean eyestalk ganglia. Z. vergl. Physiol.71, 1–13 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, D.: Crayfish interneurons. Physiologist14, 5–30 (1971)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mendelson, M.: Oscillator neurons in crustacean ganglia. Science171, 1170–1173 (1971)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, K. G., Fourtner, C. R., Wong, R. K.: Nervous control of walking in the cockroach. In: Nervous control of posture and locomotion (Stein, R. B.,etal., eds.). Advances in Behavioural Biology, vol. 7 (1974)

  • Taylor, R. C.: Environmental factors which control the sensitivity of a single crayfish interneuron. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.33, 911–921 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiersma, C. A. G., Fiore, L.: Factors regulating the discharge frequency in optomotor fibres ofCarcinus maenas. J. exp. Biol.54, 497–505 (1971)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wiersma, C. A. G., Oberjat, T.: The selective responsiveness of various crayfish oculomotor fibres to sensory stimuli. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.26, 1–16 (1968)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T., Australia

    Peter J. Fraser

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, AB9 2TN, Aberdeen, Scotland

    Peter J. Fraser

Authors
  1. Peter J. Fraser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fraser, P.J. Three classes of input to a semicircular canal interneuron in the crab,Scylla serrata, and a possible output. J. Comp. Physiol. 104, 261–271 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01379052

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01379052

Keywords

Search

Navigation