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Effects of scaphognathite nerve stimulation on the acutely deafferented crab ventilatory central pattern generator

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Abstract

  1. 1.

    Sensory axons from crab (Carcinus maenas) scaphognathites enter the thoracic ganglion primarily via the LNb branch of the levator nerve. The LNa branch of the levator nerve and the depressor nerve each contain relatively few sensory axons.

  2. 2.

    Acutely deafferented ventilatory central pattern generators show a free running burst rate which is lower than that observed in intact crabs. Electrical stimulation of the levator nerve, or of its LNb branch, increases the burst rate in a frequency dependent manner. Stimulation at high enough intensity to recruit afferents will restart a paused motor rhythm. Stimulation of the levator nerve with short pulse trains phase resets and can entrain the rhythm.

  3. 3.

    In addition to increasing the burst rate, LNb stimulation also causes a progressive elimination of motor neurons from the bursts as the stimulating frequency increases, probably due to depolarization of the 3 oval organ ‘giant’ afferent axons in this branch. Intracellular depolarization of single oval organ afferents will also inhibit some motor neurons as well as slow or stop the rhythm.

  4. 4.

    Continuous stimulation of the depressor nerve does not affect the ganglionic burst rate and this nerve contains only a few small diameter afferent axons; however, brief trains of stimuli can reset the rhythm in a phase-dependent manner.

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Abbreviations

bts-mirr−1 :

bursts/min

CPGv :

ventilatory central pattern generator

DN:

nerve supplying all depressor muscles of SG except D2a group

LN:

levator nerve

LNa:

branch of LN carrying motor neurons to all levator muscles

LNb:

branch of LN carrying D2a depressor motor neurons

MN:

motor neuron

OOA:

oval organ afferent

PG:

intact animal pattern generator

PRC:

phase response curve

SG:

scaphognathite

SN:

nerve to endites of 2nd maxilla

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, T2N 1N4, Calgary, AB, Canada

    J. L. Wilkens

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, 45701, Athens, OH, USA

    R. A. DiCaprio

Authors
  1. J. L. Wilkens
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  2. R. A. DiCaprio
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Wilkens, J.L., DiCaprio, R.A. Effects of scaphognathite nerve stimulation on the acutely deafferented crab ventilatory central pattern generator. J Comp Physiol A 174, 195–209 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193786

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193786

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