The Neuronal Control of Locomotion in the Earthworm

Gardner, Colin

doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1976.tb01119.x

Cited by 40 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 141 publications

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“…Crawling of leeches and earthworms consists of alternating contractions of circular muscles that produce the segmental elongation and longitudinal muscles that produce segmental shortening Gardner, 1976;Eisenhart et al, 2000). The body-wall musculature of Drosophila abdominal hemisegments 2-7 is also organized in a stereotypic pattern of transverse and longitudinal muscle fibers (Crossley, 1978).…”

Section: Intrasegmental Coordinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coordination and Modulation of Locomotion Pattern Generators inDrosophilaLarvae: Effects of Altered Biogenic Amine Levels by the Tyramine β Hydroxlyase Mutation

2006

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Forward locomotion of Drosophila melanogaster larvae is composed of rhythmic waves of contractions that are thought to be produced by segmentally organized central pattern generators. We present a systematic description of spike activity patterns during locomotive contraction waves in semi-intact wild-type and mutant larval preparations. We have shown previously that T␤h nM18 mutants, with altered levels of octopamine and tyramine, have a locomotion deficit. By recording en passant from the segmental nerves, we investigated the coordination of the neuronal activity driving contraction waves of the abdominal body-wall muscles. Rhythmic bursts of activity that occurred concurrently with locomotive waves were frequently observed in wild-type larvae but were rarely seen in T␤h nM18 mutants. These centrally generated patterned activities were eliminated in the distal stumps of both wild-type and T␤h nM18 larvae after severing the segmental nerve from the CNS. Patterned activities persisted in the proximal stumps deprived of sensory feedback from the periphery. Simultaneous recordings demonstrated a delay in the bursting activity between different segments, with greater delay for segments that were farther apart. In contrast, bilateral recordings within a single segment revealed a well synchronized activity pattern in nerves innervating each hemisegment in both wild-type and T␤h nM18 larvae. Significantly, rhythmic patterns of bursts and waves could be evoked in T␤h nM18 mutants by head or tail stimulation despite their highly irregular spontaneous activities. These observations suggest a role of the biogenic amines in the initiation and modulation of motor pattern generation. The technique presented here can be readily extended to examine the locomotion motor program of other mutants.

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Section: Intrasegmental Coordinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coordination and Modulation of Locomotion Pattern Generators inDrosophilaLarvae: Effects of Altered Biogenic Amine Levels by the Tyramine β Hydroxlyase Mutation

2006

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“…"Compiled from Andrew (1959), Barber (1974), Bharie r & Rittenberg (1971), Borradaile & Potts (1958), Bourne (1960), Gardner (1976), Prosser (1973), Rivera (1962), Smith et .. 1 (1971), and. Weis-Fogh (1975).…”

Section: Ciliary and Flagellar Propulsion In Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Fluid Mechanics of Propulsion by Cilia and Flagella

Brennen¹,

Winet²

1977

Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech.

879

849

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“…Although the functional properties of the giant nerve fiber systems in adult earthworms have been extensively studied (for reviews see : Gardner, 1976;Mill, 1978), little is known about the functional development of the giant fibers, except for the anatomical and behavioral observations of Prosser (1933). Prosser noted that the giant fibers of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida, became histologically identifiable during the next to last stage (termed the weak crawling stage) of embryonic development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrophysiological correlates of rapid escape reflexes in intact earthworms, Eisenia foetida. I. Functional development of giant nerve fibers during embryonic and postembryonic periods

1982

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Grids of recording electrodes etched onto printed circuit boards were used for noninvasive recording of medial (MGF) and lateral (LGF) giant nerve fiber spikes in developing earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Stereotyped patterns of through-conducted giant fiber spikes, evoked by light tactile stimulation, were first detectable in the normal crawling embryonic stage and continued to be detectable throughout postembryonic development. Giant fiber spiking activity in normal crawling embryos was accompanied by stereotyped muscle activity and rapid escape withdrawal, suggesting that giant fiber reflex pathways are functionally intact before the worm hatches. For both the MGF and LFG, several age-dependent changes were noted, including the following: increases in spike conduction velocity, increases in giant fiber diameter, and decreases in spike duration. The MGF conduction velocity in normal crawling embryos was 1.1-1.6 m s-1 (6-7 micrometers diameter) and increased to 7.0-8.5 m s-1 (20-25 micrograms diameter) by 60 days after hatching. The LGF conduction velocity in normal crawling embryos was 0.7-1.1 m s-1 (2.5-4.0 micrometers diameter) and increased to 4.0-5.5 m s-1 (8-14 micrometers diameter) by 60 days after hatching. During postembryonic development MGF and LGF conduction velocities were linearly related to fiber diameter.

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The Neuronal Control of Locomotion in the Earthworm

Cited by 40 publications

References 141 publications

Coordination and Modulation of Locomotion Pattern Generators inDrosophilaLarvae: Effects of Altered Biogenic Amine Levels by the Tyramine β Hydroxlyase Mutation

Coordination and Modulation of Locomotion Pattern Generators inDrosophilaLarvae: Effects of Altered Biogenic Amine Levels by the Tyramine β Hydroxlyase Mutation

Fluid Mechanics of Propulsion by Cilia and Flagella

Electrophysiological correlates of rapid escape reflexes in intact earthworms, Eisenia foetida. I. Functional development of giant nerve fibers during embryonic and postembryonic periods

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