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A Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization Method for the Gastropod Mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis
Published on: March 15, 2016
Predator detection in Lymnaea stagnalis
Michael V Orr1, Malik El-Bekai, Melissa Lui
1Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N1.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|November 21, 2007
Summary
Laboratory snails detect and react to crayfish scent, showing altered behaviors like increased aerial respiration and decreased oxygen consumption. This study links predator detection to specific behavioral and neurophysiological changes in Lymnaea.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Neuroethology
- Invertebrate Zoology
Background:
- Aquatic snails (Lymnaea) can detect chemical cues from predators.
- Understanding stress responses in invertebrates is crucial for ecological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize stress-related behavioral changes in Lymnaea upon predator detection.
- To investigate the neurophysiological basis of these stress responses.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of laboratory-reared Lymnaea to crayfish effluent (CE).
- Behavioral assays measuring respiration, exploration, withdrawal, righting response, and oxygen consumption.
- Electrophysiological recording of the RPeD1 neuron in response to CE.
Main Results:
- CE exposure increased aerial respiration, exploration, and withdrawal sensitivity.
- CE exposure decreased righting response time and cutaneous oxygen consumption.
- The RPeD1 neuron showed reduced activity (firing rate and bursting) after CE exposure.
- Basal heart rate remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Laboratory-reared Lymnaea exhibit innate predator detection and stress responses.
- Predator-induced stress alters multiple behaviors and neurophysiological activity in snails.
- This research provides a foundation for studying stress impacts from behavior to the neuronal level.
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