Pharmacology and reflex responsiveness of the heart in the giant garden slug, Limax maximus

The morphology of the lung of a tropical terrestrial slug Trichotoxon copleyi (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata): A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study

“…The slug lung has the capacity to meet maximum demand in extreme hostile circumstances to which the animal may be rarely exposed. This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). Terrestrial locomotion in the snails and slugs is energetically very expensive, basically because it entails continuous profuse production of mucus, a process which in itself requires energy; the energetic demands of this unique form of locomotion exceeds that of most other terrestrial animals (C. Herreid, pers.…”

“…A blood-gas (tissue) barrier of variable thickness is said to be more advantageous in gas exchange than a barrier of uniform thickness (Weibel, 1973). This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). When a thin barrier is combined with a relatively extensive surface, this would lead to a relatively high weight-specific pulmonary diffusing capacity in this invertebrate group.…”

The morphology of the lung of a tropical terrestrial slug Trichotoxon copleyi (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata): A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study

“…The slug lung has the capacity to meet maximum demand in extreme hostile circumstances to which the animal may be rarely exposed. This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). Terrestrial locomotion in the snails and slugs is energetically very expensive, basically because it entails continuous profuse production of mucus, a process which in itself requires energy; the energetic demands of this unique form of locomotion exceeds that of most other terrestrial animals (C. Herreid, pers.…”

“…A blood-gas (tissue) barrier of variable thickness is said to be more advantageous in gas exchange than a barrier of uniform thickness (Weibel, 1973). This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). When a thin barrier is combined with a relatively extensive surface, this would lead to a relatively high weight-specific pulmonary diffusing capacity in this invertebrate group.…”

Role of the cardiac nerve in the effect of a novel innocuous stimulus on the heart rate of Megalobulimus mogianensis

“…Although the pathways which control defensive behaviors often share circuitry with cardiovascular function (11,12), the literature concerning the heart rate alterations associated with these behaviors is limited. The effects of the mechanical stimulation of the tail and head on the heart rate of the slug Limax maximus were studied by MacKay and Gelperin (13) and Krontiris-Litowitz (5) reported the effects of cutaneous stimulation on the cardiovascular function of Aplysia californica.…”

“…MacKay and Gelperin (13) observed that mechanical caudal stimulation of the slug L. maximus elicited cardioacceleration accompanied by locomotion. Similar stimulation of the head produced cardioinhibition which outlasted the stimulation and was sometimes accompanied by a transient rebound excitation.…”

Evolution and Diversity of Nonstriated Muscles

“…In other bivalves acetylcholine is effective only at high concentrations and its action is excitatory, probably by increasing G Na (90, 235). In the hearts in which the inhibitory transmitter is acetylcholine, the excitatory transmitter may be serotonin (149). Calcium provides the ionic currents for normal cardiac action potentials, but some synergism with sodium is indicated (121).…”

The morphology of the lung of a tropical terrestrial slug Trichotoxon copleyi (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata): A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study

“…The slug lung has the capacity to meet maximum demand in extreme hostile circumstances to which the animal may be rarely exposed. This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). Terrestrial locomotion in the snails and slugs is energetically very expensive, basically because it entails continuous profuse production of mucus, a process which in itself requires energy; the energetic demands of this unique form of locomotion exceeds that of most other terrestrial animals (C. Herreid, pers.…”

“…A blood-gas (tissue) barrier of variable thickness is said to be more advantageous in gas exchange than a barrier of uniform thickness (Weibel, 1973). This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). When a thin barrier is combined with a relatively extensive surface, this would lead to a relatively high weight-specific pulmonary diffusing capacity in this invertebrate group.…”

Role of the cardiac nerve in the effect of a novel innocuous stimulus on the heart rate of Megalobulimus mogianensis

“…Although the pathways which control defensive behaviors often share circuitry with cardiovascular function (11,12), the literature concerning the heart rate alterations associated with these behaviors is limited. The effects of the mechanical stimulation of the tail and head on the heart rate of the slug Limax maximus were studied by MacKay and Gelperin (13) and Krontiris-Litowitz (5) reported the effects of cutaneous stimulation on the cardiovascular function of Aplysia californica.…”

“…MacKay and Gelperin (13) observed that mechanical caudal stimulation of the slug L. maximus elicited cardioacceleration accompanied by locomotion. Similar stimulation of the head produced cardioinhibition which outlasted the stimulation and was sometimes accompanied by a transient rebound excitation.…”

Evolution and Diversity of Nonstriated Muscles

“…In other bivalves acetylcholine is effective only at high concentrations and its action is excitatory, probably by increasing G Na (90, 235). In the hearts in which the inhibitory transmitter is acetylcholine, the excitatory transmitter may be serotonin (149). Calcium provides the ionic currents for normal cardiac action potentials, but some synergism with sodium is indicated (121).…”

The morphology of the lung of a tropical terrestrial slug Trichotoxon copleyi (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata): A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study

“…The slug lung has the capacity to meet maximum demand in extreme hostile circumstances to which the animal may be rarely exposed. This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). Terrestrial locomotion in the snails and slugs is energetically very expensive, basically because it entails continuous profuse production of mucus, a process which in itself requires energy; the energetic demands of this unique form of locomotion exceeds that of most other terrestrial animals (C. Herreid, pers.…”

“…A blood-gas (tissue) barrier of variable thickness is said to be more advantageous in gas exchange than a barrier of uniform thickness (Weibel, 1973). This observation is supported by the observation made by Prior et al (1983) that the slug lung exhibits a remarkable capacity for response to increases in oxygen demand which appears to be characterized by a concomitant 15% increase in heart rate noted by Mackay & Gelperin (1972). When a thin barrier is combined with a relatively extensive surface, this would lead to a relatively high weight-specific pulmonary diffusing capacity in this invertebrate group.…”

Role of the cardiac nerve in the effect of a novel innocuous stimulus on the heart rate of Megalobulimus mogianensis

“…Although the pathways which control defensive behaviors often share circuitry with cardiovascular function (11,12), the literature concerning the heart rate alterations associated with these behaviors is limited. The effects of the mechanical stimulation of the tail and head on the heart rate of the slug Limax maximus were studied by MacKay and Gelperin (13) and Krontiris-Litowitz (5) reported the effects of cutaneous stimulation on the cardiovascular function of Aplysia californica.…”

“…MacKay and Gelperin (13) observed that mechanical caudal stimulation of the slug L. maximus elicited cardioacceleration accompanied by locomotion. Similar stimulation of the head produced cardioinhibition which outlasted the stimulation and was sometimes accompanied by a transient rebound excitation.…”

Evolution and Diversity of Nonstriated Muscles

“…In other bivalves acetylcholine is effective only at high concentrations and its action is excitatory, probably by increasing G Na (90, 235). In the hearts in which the inhibitory transmitter is acetylcholine, the excitatory transmitter may be serotonin (149). Calcium provides the ionic currents for normal cardiac action potentials, but some synergism with sodium is indicated (121).…”