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The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 2619-2628 (2003)
doi: 10.1242/jeb.00444

Peripheral targets of centrally located putative accessory neurons of MRO in the isopod Ligia exotica

Noriyuki Hama¹, Yoshinori Okada², Edit Pollák³, László Molnár³ and Akiyoshi Niida^2,*

¹ Animal Behavior and Intelligence, Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University, Okayama Tsushima 700-8530, Japan
³ Department of General Zoology and Neurobiology, University of Pécs and Adaptation Biological Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-7601 Pécs, Ifjuság útja 6, Hungary

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: niida{at}cc.okayama-u.ac.jp)

Accepted 9 April 2003

The three centrally located putative accessory neurons of the muscle receptor organ (MRO) of the isopod Ligia exotica were identified to the third segmental nerve (N3) of the thoracic ganglion by backfilling with Lucifer Yellow. These neurons were then studied intracellularly and extracellularly to determine whether they suppressed the stretch-activated responses of thoracic stretch receptors. Intracellular injection of depolarizing currents into these three putative accessory neurons revealed that only neuron #3 had an inhibitory effect, suggesting that it is an inhibitory accessory neuron related to thoracic stretch receptors. We searched for the peripheral targets of neurons #1 and #2 by intracellular filling with Lucifer Yellow or by recording of junctional potentials in extensor muscles, and show that they are motor neurons that innervate the deep extensor and superficial extensor muscles, respectively.

Key words: Crustacea, Isopoda, Ligia exotica, thoracic stretch receptor, muscle receptor organ (MRO), identified accessory neuron, reflex activation, intracellular labeling, Lucifer Yellow