An identified cerebral interneuron initiates different elements of prey capture behavior in the pteropod mollusc,Clione limacina

The prey capture phase of feeding behavior in the pteropod molluscClione limacina consists of an explosive extrusion of buccal cones, specialized oral appendages which are used to catch the prey, and significant acceleration of swimming. Several groups of neurons which control different components of prey capture behavior inClione have been previously identified in the CNS. However, the question of their coordination in order to develop a normal behavioral reaction still remains open. We describe here a cerebral interneuron which has wide-spread excitatory and inhibitory effects on a number of neurons in the cerebral and pedal ganglia, directed toward the initiation of prey capture behavior inClione. This bilaterally symmetrical neuron, designated Cr-PC (Cerebral interneuron initiating Prey Capture), produced monosynaptic activation of Cr-A motoneurons, which control buccal cone extrusion, and inhibition of Cr-B and Cr-L motoneurons, whose spike activities maintain buccal cones in a withdrawn position inside the head in non-feeding animals. In addition, Cr-PC produced monosynaptic activation of a number of swim motoneurons and interneurons of the swim central pattern generator (CPG) in the pedal ganglia, pedal serotonergic Pd-SW neurons involved in a peripheral modulation of swimming and the serotonergic Heart Excitor neuron.