The Crustacean

The Crustacean Nervous System

Crustacean preparations have been successfully used for more than 50 years to investigate the principles which enable nerve cells and neural circuitry to perform in a wide variety of functions. The proud record of information of general significance obtained from crayfish and lobster nervous systems testifies that the use of an experimental system precisely matching theoretical and experimental requirements ofa measurement is an essential part of the success. In some respects, the secondarily diversified vertebrate and mammalian nervous systems pose severe obstacles to experimentation and measurement, whereas the crustacean nervous system recommends itself by being composed of individual neurons of unique morphology and physiology, which can be used repeatedly in several preparations. Moreover, a restricted number of invariantly displayed behaviors enable the experimenter to correlate neuron activity with parts of the behavior easier. Experts use these advantages to focus on a well-defined neuron and mechanism and to take a convincing measurement within a minimum amount oftime. In this book distinguished neurobiologists, the leading experts in the field, have joined efforts to present research using crustacean experimental systems. Thus they have contributed comprehensive information regarding a nervous system other than that ofvertebrates and mammalians, that ofcrustaceans. The accumulated knowledge on the crustacean nervous system shows that it is clearly divergent in evolution but functions in a similar way to neuronal circuitry found in the vertebrate system and can be used to interpret it.

The Crustacean Integument

The Crustacean Integument summarizes the current state of the knowledge regarding the structure, organization, and function of the crustacean integument. Methods for analysis are covered and include discussions on techniques such as immunocytochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. The book considers embryologic and physiologic features of the crustacean integument, including cellular proliferation during larval development and calcification. Structural components are examined, including the structure and synthesis of crustacean chitin and cuticular proteins and their homologies within arthropods. Specialized features of the integument such as pore canals and tegumental glands and the morphology of the pre-, post-, and intermolt cuticle are covered. Micrographs and diagrams help illustrate key concepts in the text. The Crustacean Integument will benefit crustacean biologists working in cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, systematics, development, and toxicology.

On the Homologies of the Crustacean Limb