How morphology of semicircular canals affects transduction,as shown by response characteristics of statocyst interneurons in the crabCarcinus maenas (L.)

Summary Action potentials in directional statocyst interneurons are measured during sinusoidal oscillation of the crabCarcinus around horizontal axes. Peak response of the interneurons precede peak position of the animal by 120 ° (Fig. 3). Optimum response of an interneuron occurs when the plane of oscillation of the crab coincides with the circumferential plane of the vertical canal of the statocyst providing input to the interneuron in question (Fig. 6). Directionality is explained in terms of unidirectional sensory receptors inCarcinus statocyst. Increased phase lead of response over peak position of the crab is explained in terms of reduced viscous damping in the open statocyst.The author is grateful to the Science Research Council for financial assistance.