Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The organisation of the lamina ganglionaris of the crabs Scylla serrata and Leptograpsus variegatus

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The gross structure and neuronal elements of the first optic ganglion of two crabs, Scylla serrata and Leptograpsus variegatus, are described on the basis of Golgi (selective silver) and reduced silver preparations. Of the eight retinula cells of each ommatidium, seven end within the lamina, while the eighth cell sends a long fibre to the external medulla. Five types of monopolar neurons are described, three types of large tangential fibres, and one fibre which may be centrifugal. The marked stratification of the lamina is produced by several features. The main synaptic region, the plexiform layer, is divided by a band of tangential fibres; the short retinula fibres end at two levels in the plexiform layer; and two types of monopolar cells have arborisations confined to the distal or proximal parts of the plexiform layer. The information presently available concerning the retina-lamina projection in Crustacea is examined. Some of the implications of retina and lamina structure are discussed in conjunction with what is known about their electrophysiology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aréchiga, H., Wiersma, C.A.G.: Circadian rhythm of responsiveness in crayfish visual units. J. Neurobiol. 1, 71–85 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, J.R., Williams, Elizabeth, G.: The use of methyl green as a histochemical agent. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 106, 3–13 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R.: Very rapid selective silver (Golgi) impregnation and embedding of invertebrate nervous tissue. Brain Res. 33, 540–544 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Colonnier, M.: The tangential organization of the visual cortex. J. Anat. (Lond.) 98, 327–344 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Drury, R.A.B., Wallington, E.A.: Carleton's histological technique, 4th ed. London: Oxford Univ. Press 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, A.S.: The structure of the eye of Ligia oceanica L. Tissue & Cell 1, 217–228 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eguchi, E., Waterman, T.H.: Fine structure patterns in crustacean rhabdoms. In: The functional organisation of the compound eye (C.G. Bernard, ed.), pp. 105–124. New York: Pergamon Press 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Eguchi, E., Waterman, T.H.: Orthogonal microvillus pattern in the eighth rhabdomere of the rock crab Grapsus. Z. Zellforsch. 137, 145–157 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eguchi, E., Waterman, T.H., Akiyama, J.: Localisation of the violet and yellow receptor cells in the crayfish retinula. J. gen. Physiol. 62, 355–374 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Erber, J., Sandeman, D.C.: Real and apparent motion perception by the crab Leptograpsus. II. Electrophysiology. J. comp. Physiol. A. 112, 189–198 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glantz, R.M.: Five classes of visual interneurons in the optic nerve of the hermit crab. J. Neurobiol. 4, 301–319 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glantz, R.M.: Habituation of the motion detectors of the crayfish optic nerve: Their relationship to the visually evoked defense reflex. J. Neurobiol. 5, 489–510 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, T.H., Fernandez, H.R.: Comparative studies of crustacean spectral sensitivity. Z. vergl. Physiol. 60, 156–175 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hafner, G.S.: The neural organisation of the lamina ganglionaris in the crayfish: A Golgi and EM study. J. comp. Neurol. 152, 255–280 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hafner, G.S.: The ultrastructure of retinula cell endings in the compound eye of the crayfish. J. Neurocyt. 3, 295–311 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hámori, J., Horridge, G.A.: The lobster optic lamina. I. General organisation. J. Cell Sci. 1, 249–256 (1966a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hámori, J., Horridge, G.A.: The lobster optic lamina. II. Types of synapse. J. Cell Sci. 1, 257–270 (1966b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hámori, J., Horridge, G.A.: The lobster optic ganglion. III. Degeneration of retinula cell endings. J. Cell Sci. 1, 271–274 (1966c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hámori, J., Horridge, G.A.: The lobster optic lamina. IV. Glial cells. J. Cell Sci. 1, 275–280 (1966d)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanström, B.: Untersuchungen über das Gehirn, insbesondere die Sehganglien der Crustaceen. Ark. Zool. 16, 1–119 (1924)

    Google Scholar 

  • Krebs, W.: The fine structure of the retinula of the compound eye of Astacus fluviatilis. Z. Zellforsch. 133, 399–114 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunze, P.: Histologische Untersuchungen zum Bau des Auges von Ocypode cursor (Brachyura). Z. Zellforsch. 82, 466–478 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunze, P.: Die Orientierung der Retinulazellen im Auge von Ocypode. Z. Zellforsch. 90, 454–462 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leggett, L.M.: Polarised light sensitive interneurons in a swimming crab. Nature (Lond.) 262, 709–711 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzel, R., Snyder, A.W.: Polarised light detection in the bee Apis mellifera. J. comp. Physiol. 88, 247–270 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nässel, D.R.: The organisation of the lamina ganglionaris of the prawn, Pandalus borealis (Kröyer). Cell Tiss. Res. 163, 445–464 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nässel, D.R.: The retina and retinal projection on the lamina ganglionaris of the crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. (Dana). J. comp. Neurol. 167, 341–360 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nässel, D.R.: Types and arrangements of neurons in the crayfish optic lamina. (In press 1976)

  • Ohly, K.P.: The neurons of the first synaptic region of the optic neuropile of the firefly, Phausis splendidula L. (Coleoptera). Cell Tiss. Res. 158, 89–109 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, G.H.: The retina and optic ganglia in decapods, especially in Astacus. Mitt. Zool. Stat. Neapel 12, 1–73 (1897)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramón-Moliner, E.: The Golgi-Cox technique. In: Contemporary research methods in neuroanatomy (ed. Nauta, W.J.H., Ebbesson, S.O.E.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribi, W.A.: The neurons of the first optic ganglion of the bee (Apis mellifera). Advanc. in Anat. 50/4 (1975)

  • Ribi, W.A.: A Golgi-electron microscope method for insect nervous tissue. Stain Technol. 51, 13–16 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowell, C.H.F.: A general method for silvering invertebrate central nervous systems. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 104, 81–87 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutherford, D.J., Horridge, G.A.: The rhabdom of the lobster eye. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 106, 119–130 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandeman, D.C., Kien, J., Erber, J.: Optokinetic eye movements in the crab. Carcinus maenas. II. Responses of optokinetic interneurons. J. comp. Physiol. 101, 259–274 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiff, H., Gervasio, A.: Functional morphology of the Squilla retina. Publ. Staz. Zool. Nap. 37, 610–629 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, S., Mote, M.I.: Spectral sensitivity in some marine crustacea. Vision Res. 14, 659–663 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S.R.: Polarised light responses from crab retinula cells. Nature (Lond.) 211, 92–93 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, S.R.: Sense-cell structure and interspecies comparisons of polarised light absorption in arthropod compound eyes. Vision Res. 9, 1031–1040 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shivers, R.R.: Fine structure of crayfish optic ganglia. Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. 47, 677–733 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strausfeld, N.J.: Golgi studies on insects. Part II. The optic lobes of Diptera. Phil. Trans. B 258, 135–223 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strausfeld, N.J., Blest, A.D.: Golgi studies on insects. Part I. The optic lobes of Lepidoptera. Phil. Trans. B 258, 81–134 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Viallanes, H.: Sur la structure de la lame ganglionnaire des crustacés décapodes. Bul. Soc. Zool. de France XVI (1891)

  • Wiersma, C.A.G., Yamaguchi, T.: The neuronal components of the optic nerve of the crayfish as studied by single unit analysis. J. comp. Neurol. 128, 333–358 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiersma, C.A.G., York, B.: Properties of the seeing fibres in the rock lobster: field structure, habituation, attention and distraction. Vision Res. 12, 627–640 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    Sally Stowe, W. A. Ribi & D. C. Sandeman

Authors
  1. Sally Stowe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. W. A. Ribi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. C. Sandeman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stowe, S., Ribi, W.A. & Sandeman, D.C. The organisation of the lamina ganglionaris of the crabs Scylla serrata and Leptograpsus variegatus . Cell Tissue Res. 178, 517–532 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219572

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219572

Key words

Search

Navigation