Sensorin-A immunocytochemistry reveals putative mechanosensory neurons in Lymnaea CNS

The pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis is a useful model system for studying the neural basis of behaviour but the mechanosensory inputs that impact on behaviours such as respiration, locomotion, reproduction and feeding are not known. In Aplysia, the peptide sensorin-A appears to be specific to a class of central mechanosensory neurons. We show that in the Lymnaea central nervous system sensorin-A immunocytochemistry reveals a discrete pattern of staining involving well over 100 neurons. Identifiable sensorin positive clusters of neurons are located in the buccal and cerebral ganglia, and a single large neuron is immunopositive in each pedal ganglion. These putative mechanosensory neurons are not in the same locations as previously identified motoneurons, interneurons or neurosecretory cells. As would be expected for a mechanoafferent, sensorin positive fibres were found in nerve tracts innervating the body wall. This study lays the foundation for future electrophysiological and behavioural analysis of these putative mechanosensory neurons.