Comparative study of visuo-vestibular conditioning in Lymnaea stagnalis

Biol Bull. 2006 Jun;210(3):298-307. doi: 10.2307/4134566.

Abstract

In this review, we compare the current understanding of visuo-vestibular conditioning in Hermissenda crassicornis and Lymnaea stagnalis on the basis of behavioral, electrophysiologic, and morphologic studies. Paired presentation of a photic conditioned stimulus (CS) and an orbital rotation unconditioned stimulus (US) results in conditioned escape behavior in both species. In Hermissenda, changes in excitability of type B photoreceptors and morphologic modifications at the axon terminals follow conditioning. Caudal hair cells, which detect mechanical turbulence, have reciprocal inhibition with type B photoreceptors. In Lymnaea, the interaction between photoreceptors and hair cells is dependent on statocyst location. Furthermore, the organization of the Lymnaea eye is complex, with more than 100 photoreceptors distributed in a uniquely folded retina. Although the optimal conditions to produce long-term memory (memory persistent for >1 week) are almost identical in Hermissenda and Lymnaea, physiologic and morphologic differences suggest that the neuronal mechanisms underlying learning and memory are distinct.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology*
  • Escape Reaction / physiology
  • Hair Cells, Vestibular / anatomy & histology
  • Hair Cells, Vestibular / physiology*
  • Hermissenda / anatomy & histology
  • Hermissenda / cytology
  • Hermissenda / physiology
  • Lymnaea / anatomy & histology
  • Lymnaea / cytology
  • Lymnaea / physiology*
  • Memory / physiology
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / cytology
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate / physiology*
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology