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Neuronal control of turtle hindlimb motor rhythms

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Abstract

The turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans, uses its hindlimb during the rhythmic motor behaviors of walking, swimming, and scratching. For some tasks, one or more motor strategies or forms may be produced, e.g., forward swimming or backpaddling. This review discusses experiments that reveal characteristics of the spinal neuronal networks producing these motor behaviors. Limb-movement studies show shared properties such as rhythmic alternation between hip flexion and hip extension, as well as variable properties such as the timing of knee extension in the cycle of hip movements. Motor-pattern studies show shared properties such as rhythmic alternation between hip flexor and hip extensor motor activities, as well as variable properties such as modifiable timing of knee extensor motor activity in the cycle of hip motor activity. Motor patterns also display variations such as the hip-extensor deletion of rostral scratching. Neuronal-network studies reveal mechanisms responsible for movement and motor-pattern properties. Some interneurons in the spinal cord have shared activities, e.g., each unit is active during more than one behavior, and have distinct characteristics, e.g., each unit is most excited during a specific behavior. Interneuronal recordings during variations support the concept of modular organization of central pattern generators in the spinal cord.

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Abbreviations

CPG:

Central pattern generator

EMG:

Electromyographic recording

ENG:

Electroneurographic recording

EPSP:

Excitatory postsynaptic potential

IPSP:

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

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Acknowledgements

Research in the Stein laboratory is supported by NIH grant NS-30786 to P.S.G.S. Experiments in the Stein laboratory comply with the Principles of animal care, publication No. 86-23, revised 1985, of the National Institutes of Health and with the current laws of the USA. I thank Sarah Siegel and Dr. Ari Berkowitz, Dr. Susan Daniels-McQueen, Dr. Gammon Earhart, and Dr. Edelle Field-Fote for editorial assistance.

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    P. S. G. Stein

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Stein, P.S.G. Neuronal control of turtle hindlimb motor rhythms. J Comp Physiol A 191, 213–229 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-004-0568-6

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