Autoactive molluscan neuron: Reflex function and synaptic modulation during feeding in the terrestrial slug,Limax maximus

Summary The salivary burster (SB) is an autoactive motoneuron to the salivary duct of the terrestrial slugLimax maximus. The SB is electrically coupled to protractor motoneurons and inhibited by the metacerebral giant cell. During feeding these synaptic inputs cause SB activity to be phase-locked to the protraction-retraction cycle. The SB can be used as a clear and reliable monitor of feeding motorprogram activation.We thank Dr. Joseph Jin Chang for invaluable assistance with some of this work. Support was provided by NSF grant BMS74-15217 to D.J.P., NSF grant BMS74-03572 to A.G., and a grant from the Spencer Foundation.