Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Shelter selection in females of two scorpion species depends on shelter size and scent.

Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology·2024
Same author

Toward the vector map in insect navigation.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same author

Geometrical multiscale tortuosity of desert ant walking trajectories.

The Journal of experimental biology·2024
Same author

Geometrical multiscale tortuosity of desert ant walking trajectories.

The Journal of experimental biology·2024
Same author

Flupyradifurone negatively affects survival, physical condition and mobility in the two-spotted lady beetle (Adalia bipunctata).

The Science of the total environment·2024
Same author

Influence of the pesticide flupyradifurone on mobility and physical condition of larval green lacewings.

Scientific reports·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila
11:56

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Published on: June 16, 2017

8.2K

Inhibitory motoneurons in arthropod motor control: organisation, function, evolution.

Harald Wolf1

  • 1Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, 10 Marais Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa, harald.wolf@uni-ulm.de.

Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
|June 27, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Small animals like arthropods use inhibitory motoneurons for precise motor control, compensating for fewer muscle fibers and neurons. This strategy allows a wide performance range despite miniaturization challenges.

More Related Videos

Extracellularly Identifying Motor Neurons for a Muscle Motor Pool in Aplysia californica
13:37

Extracellularly Identifying Motor Neurons for a Muscle Motor Pool in Aplysia californica

Published on: March 25, 2013

12.1K
Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
16:16

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

59.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila
11:56

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Published on: June 16, 2017

8.2K
Extracellularly Identifying Motor Neurons for a Muscle Motor Pool in Aplysia californica
13:37

Extracellularly Identifying Motor Neurons for a Muscle Motor Pool in Aplysia californica

Published on: March 25, 2013

12.1K
Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises
16:16

Membrane Potentials, Synaptic Responses, Neuronal Circuitry, Neuromodulation and Muscle Histology Using the Crayfish: Student Laboratory Exercises

Published on: January 18, 2011

59.9K

Area of Science:

  • Comparative physiology
  • Neurobiology
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Somatic cell miniaturization in animals is constrained by physical and biological factors.
  • Small animals, particularly arthropods, have significantly fewer muscle fibers and neurons compared to larger animals like mammals.
  • This necessitates unique strategies for effective motor control in smaller organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the motor control strategy employed by arthropods, focusing on the role of inhibitory motoneurons.
  • To explore the functional and evolutionary aspects of this strategy.
  • To detail the components of arthropod motor control, emphasizing inhibitory motoneurons.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on arthropod motor control.
  • Functional analysis of inhibitory motoneuron roles.
  • Evolutionary and phylogenetic comparisons of motor control specializations.

Main Results:

  • Arthropods utilize inhibitory motoneurons as a key strategy for motor control.
  • This strategy enables a broad spectrum of behavioral performance despite limited cell numbers.
  • Inhibitory motoneurons are crucial for muscle fiber recruitment and functional specialization.

Conclusions:

  • The use of inhibitory motoneurons is a defining feature of arthropod motor control.
  • This strategy highlights evolutionary adaptations for efficient movement in small-bodied animals.
  • Understanding inhibitory motoneurons offers insights into motor control evolution and diversification.