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Neurobiology of Crustacean Walking: from Past to Future

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Crustacean Experimental Systems in Neurobiology

Abstract

This review summarize data obtained on the functioning of the walking thoracic central pattern generator (CPG) and on the sensory receptors involved during walking. In thoracic in vitro preparations, alternating bursts obtained between opposite muscle nerves correspond to fictive locomotion; it seems to be due to some direct monosynaptic inhibitory connections between motoneurons (MNs) and to pacemaker properties of some MNs. Walking CPG is hierarchically organised by some interneurons (INs) that coordinate the activity of the various MN pools. Two type of sensory receptors contribute to walking (i) external mechanoreceptors inserted in the exoskeleton record the stance phase duration, (ii) internal chordotonal organs are very accurate to record leg position and movements. If some receptor control is limited to a given leg, external mechanoreceptors seem to be crucial in the interleg coordination. Future development in crustacean walking will concern a better knowledge of both the locomotor CPG and the kinematic and dynamic parameters involved in free walking behaviours.

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  1. CNRS-NBM, 31, chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille, Cedex 20, France

    Francois Clarac

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  1. Francois Clarac
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  1. Institute of Zoology and Museum Neurophysiology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, Hamburg, 20146, Germany

    Konrad Wiese

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Clarac, F. (2002). Neurobiology of Crustacean Walking: from Past to Future. In: Wiese, K. (eds) Crustacean Experimental Systems in Neurobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56092-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56092-7_6

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