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Journal of Experimental Biology 70,93-104 (1977)
Published by Company of Biologists 1977

The Nervous Control of Limb Autotomy in the Hermit Crab Pagurus Bernhardus (L.) and the Role of the Cuticular Stress Detector, CSD1

IAN FINDLAY 1 and ALISTAIR MCVEAN 1

1 Bedford College (University of London), Regent's Park, London NWi 4NS

Limb autotomy results from the fracture of a preformed breakage plane within the second limb segment. Fracture is produced by the contraction of the large anterior levator (AL) muscle at the same time as its synergist, the posterior levator (PL) muscle. The AL force is thus directed on to a small portion of the breakage plane; withdrawal of this plug initiates cuticular fracture. Autotomy is a response to damage inflicted on the limb. In the absence of sensory information from the second limb segment there is less activity in the units serving the PL. It is shown that stimulation of the sense organ, cuticular stress detector one, provides feedback to PL motor neurones. The feedback is an integral part of the nervous control of limb autotomy.

Submitted on February 28, 1977






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1977