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Journal of Experimental Biology 125,245-269 (1986)
Published by Company of Biologists 1986

The Segmental Giant Neurone of the Hermit Crab Eupagurus Bernhardus

W. J. Heitler 1 and K. Fraser 1

1 The Gatty Marine Laboratory, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, Scotland

The anatomy and physiology of the segmental giant (SG) neurone of the fourth abdominal ganglion of the hermit crab is described. The SG has an apparently blindending axon in the first root and a small cell body in the anterior ipsilateral ventral quadrant of the ganglion. There is a large ipsilateral neuropile arborization with prominent dendrites lined up along the course of the ipsilateral giant fibre (GF). The SG receives 1:1 input from the ipsilateral GF via an electrical synapse which is usually rectifying. SG activation produces a large EPSP in all ipsilateral and some contralateral fast flexor excitor (FF) motor neurones. The major input to FFs resulting from GF activation appears to be mediated via the SG. It also produces a small EPSP in ipsilateral and contralateral motor giant neurones. The properties of the hermit crab SG are compared to those of the crayfish SG, and the implications of the SG for the possible evolutionary paths of the giant fibre system are discussed.

Key words: hermit crab, giant neurones, segmental giant, tail-flip.

Accepted on June 10, 1986




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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1986