The lateral giant fibers of the tubificid worm,Branchiura sowerbyi: Structural and functional asymmetry in a paired interneuronal system

1988 ◽  
Vol 275 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Zoran ◽  
Charles D. Drewes ◽  
Charles R. Fourtner ◽  
Alan J. Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Functional Asymmetry ◽  
Branchiura Sowerbyi ◽  
Tubificid Worm

scholarly journals The Rapid Tail Withdrawal Reflex of the Tubificid Worm, Branchiura Sowerbyi

1988 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 487-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Zoran ◽  
Charles D. Drewes
Keyword(s):  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Mechanical Stimulus ◽  
Giant Fibre ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Branchiura Sowerbyi ◽  
Withdrawal Reflex ◽  
Efferent Pathways ◽  
Coupling Time ◽  
Tubificid Worm ◽  
Mechanosensory System

The rapid tail withdrawal of the tubificid worm, Branchiura sowerbyi, was studied using correlated electrophysiological and behavioural analyses. The minimal response latency (i.e. time from onset of mechanical stimulus to onset of withdrawal) was approximately 7 ms, faster than the escape responses of any previously studied invertebrate. Factors contributing to the speed and efficacy of this response include: (1) a sensitive mechanosensory system for detecting potential prey, (2) a short latency for excitation along afferent and efferent pathways, (3) a rapid intersegmental conduction of lateral giant fibre spikes, (4) a short coupling time from muscle excitation to the onset of shortening, and (5) the requirement of only a single lateral giant fibre spike for a complete (all-or-none) response. Videotaped sequences of predator—prey interactions showed that such reflex speed permits effective escape from the strike of the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus).

What Is Left Is Right

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Hugdahl ◽  
René Westerhausen
Keyword(s):  
Speech Processing ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Hemispheric Asymmetry ◽  
Functional Neuroimaging ◽  
Gray Matter Volume ◽  
Functional Anatomy ◽  
Posterior Part ◽  
Functional Asymmetry ◽  
Planum Temporale ◽  
Evolution Of Speech

The present paper is based on a talk on hemispheric asymmetry given by Kenneth Hugdahl at the Xth European Congress of Psychology, Praha July 2007. Here, we propose that hemispheric asymmetry evolved because of a left hemisphere speech processing specialization. The evolution of speech and the need for air-based communication necessitated division of labor between the hemispheres in order to avoid having duplicate copies in both hemispheres that would increase processing redundancy. It is argued that the neuronal basis of this labor division is the structural asymmetry observed in the peri-Sylvian region in the posterior part of the temporal lobe, with a left larger than right planum temporale area. This is the only example where a structural, or anatomical, asymmetry matches a corresponding functional asymmetry. The increase in gray matter volume in the left planum temporale area corresponds to a functional asymmetry of speech processing, as indexed from both behavioral, dichotic listening, and functional neuroimaging studies. The functional anatomy of the corpus callosum also supports such a view, with regional specificity of information transfer between the hemispheres.

Rearing and estimation of life-cycle parameters of the tubicifid worm Branchiura sowerbyi: Application to ecotoxicity testing

2007 ◽  
Vol 384 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 252-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Ducrot ◽  
Alexandre R.R. Péry ◽  
Hervé Quéau ◽  
Raphaël Mons ◽  
Michel Lafont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Branchiura Sowerbyi ◽  
Ecotoxicity Testing
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