spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by PARRY, D. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by PARRY, D. A.

Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-101, 1-8, Copyright © 1960 by Company of Biologists

The Small Leg-Nerve of Spiders and a Probable Mechanoreceptor

D. A. PARRY 1

1 King's College, From the Zoological Laboratory, Cambridge University Cambridge

Besides the main leg-nerve there is, in spiders, a ‘small leg-nerve’ which is mainly sensory. About 8 of the fibres arise from neurones which form a ganglion at the femurpatella joint and appear anatomically to be joint mechanoreceptors, but if so must supplement the lyriform organs. Cutting the small leg-nerve has no effect on the walking pattern nor on the detection of prey, which almost certainly depends on mechanoreception. The small leg-nerve contains one motor fibre which innervates the claw elevator. This muscle has a double innervation, a second fibre running in the main leg-nerve. There are interesting parallels between the small leg-nerve in spiders and Limulus.






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1960