A muscle receptor organ in the scorpion postabdomen

(i) Following previous work on the morphological and physiological properties of the two distal joints (J2, J3) of the atenna of the rock lobster Palinurus vulgaris , the mechanical, muscular and proprioceptive organization of the two proximal joints between the antennal segments S1 and S2 (J1) and between S1 and the cephalothorax (J0) have now been studied. (ii) Articulated by two classical condyles, J1 moves in a mediolateral plane. One external rotator muscle (ER) and three internal rotator muscles (IR1, IR2, IR3) subserve its movements. J0 is articulated by two different systems: a classical ventrolateral condyle and a complex sliding system constituted by special cuticular structures on the dorsomedial side of the S1 segment and on the rostrum between the two antennae. J0 moves in the dorsoventral plane by means of a levator muscle (Lm) and a depressor muscle (Dm). A third muscle, the lateral tractor muscle (LTm), associated with J0 and lying obliquely across S1, may modulate the level of friction between the S1 segment and the rostrum. (iii) Proprioception in J1 is achieved by a muscle receptor organ AMCO-J1 (antennal myochordotonal organ for the J1 joint) associating a small accessory muscle (S1.am) located in the proximal part of the S1 segment and a chordotonal organ inserted proximally on the S1.am muscle and distally on the S2 segment. J0 proprioception is ensured by a simple chordotonal organ (CO-J0) located in the anterior part of the cephalothorax. (iv) The S1.am muscle is innervated by three motoneurons characterized by their very small diameters and inducing respectively tonic excitatory postsynaptic potentials, phasic excitatory postsynaptic potentials and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Anatomical and physiological observations suggest functional correlation between S1.am and IR1 motor innervation. (v) Mechanical and muscular organization of J0 and J1 are compared with that of the other joints of the antenna. The properties of the AMCO-J1 proprioceptor are discussed in relation to the other muscle receptor organs described in crustaceans.

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The Abdominal Muscle Receptor Organ of Crayfish and Lobsters: Current Issues

Crustacean Experimental Systems in Neurobiology ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-56092-7_5 ◽

2002 ◽

pp. 109-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David L. Macmillan

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Muscle ◽

Muscle Receptor ◽

Receptor Organ

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Phase-dependent reversal of reflexes mediated by the thoracocoxal muscle receptor organ in the crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1986.55.4.689 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 689-695 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

P. Skorupski ◽

K. T. Sillar

Keyword(s):

Motor Neurons ◽

Negative Feedback ◽

Positive Feedback ◽

Motor Output ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Muscle Receptor ◽

Reflex Pathways ◽

Receptor Organ ◽

Positive And Negative Feedback ◽

Central Excitability

Both negative feedback, resistance reflexes and positive feedback, assistance reflexes are mediated by the thoracocoxal muscle receptor organ (TCMRO) in the crayfish, depending on the central excitability of the preparation. In this paper we present evidence that the velocity-sensitive afferent T fiber of the TCMRO may elicit either resistance or assistance reflexes in different preparations. In preparations displaying assistance reflexes, the S and T fibers of the TCMRO exert reciprocal effects on leg motor neurons (MNs). The S fiber excites promotor MNs (negative feedback) and inhibits remotor MNs, the T fiber excites remotor MNs (positive feedback) and inhibits promotor MNs. During reciprocal motor output of promotor and remotor MNs, reflexes mediated by the TCMRO are modulated in a phase-dependent manner. The TCMRO excites promotor MNs during their active phases (negative feedback) but inhibits them during their reciprocal phases. Remotor MNs are excited by the TCMRO during their active phases (positive feedback). It is proposed that depolarizing central inputs that occur in the S and T fibers at opposite phases of the motor output cycle (21) facilitate the output effects of each afferent in alternation, effectively mediating a phase-dependent shift between the effects of one afferent and the other. The implications of central modulation of reflex pathways and the possible functions of positive and negative feedback reflexes during locomotion are discussed.

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Sensory feedback and central afferent interaction in the muscle receptor organ of the crab, Carcinus maenas

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1996.76.2.788 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 76 (2) ◽

pp. 788-798 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. Wildman ◽

A. Cannone

Keyword(s):

Action Potentials ◽

Sensory Feedback ◽

Carcinus Maenas ◽

Small Diameter ◽

Sensory Response ◽

Fiber Direction ◽

Single Action ◽

Muscle Receptor ◽

Leg Muscles ◽

Receptor Organ

1. An interaction exists between two proprioceptive afferent neurons innervating the thoracic-coxal muscle receptor organ (TCMRO) of the crab, Carcinus maenas. Intracellular recordings were made from the extraganglionic regions of the afferents in order to characterize this interaction and its effects on sensory feedback. 2. A current-induced depolarization of the nonspiking T fiber of the TCMRO results in a depolarization of the P fiber, a small-diameter (7 microns) neuron innervating the same receptor. This interaction is graded in amplitude, and may result in a single action potential being superimposed on the graded response of the P fiber. A hyperpolarization of the T fiber has a smaller effect on the P fiber than a depolarization of similar amplitude. The interaction is rectified in a T- to P-fiber direction, and has a minimum central delay of approximately 3.6 ms. 3. The site of the interaction between the afferents is situated centrally, within the thoracic ganglion. Action potentials evoked in the P fiber by a T-fiber depolarization propagate actively and antidromically to the periphery. 4. Central modulation of the interaction occurs, because the amplitude of a T-fiber-induced depolarization is reduced in the P fiber during centrally generated spontaneous bursts of activity in the motoneurons of basal leg muscles. 5. Because of the interaction between T and P fibers, action potentials recorded from the peripheral portion of the P fiber during receptor stretch may be either orthodromic, resulting directly from the effects of the stretch on the sensory endings of the P fiber, or antidromic, resulting from the central input from the T fiber. 6. The T- to P-fiber interaction may serve to extend the dynamic sensitivity range of the P fiber, in particular by amplifying its sensory response at short receptor lengths and low velocities of stretch.

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