Neurobiology of Arachnids

by K.S. Babu (With), F.G. Barth (Editor), F.G. Barth (With), A.D. Blest (With), B. Claas (With)

Overview

Arachnids rarely come to mind when one discusses arthropod neurobiology. In fact much more is now known and written about the nervous systems of insects and crustaceans. Several arguments have led us to conclude, however, that the time has come to document important aspects of the neurobiology of spiders, scorpions, and their kin, as well. Studies of arachnid neurobiology have made considerable progress since the last comprehensive treatment by Bullock and Horridge in their monumental monograph on invertebrate nervous systems pub­ lished in 1965. This is especially true for research performed in the last decade. Several problems related to the structure and function of arachnid nervous and sensory systems have now been studied in con­ siderable depth but have so far not been given adequate space under one cover. A particular incentive to produce this book has been the importance attributed to comparative approaches in neurobiology. Neglect­ ing a large taxonomic group such as the arachnids - which comprises some 60,000 species living a wide range of different lives - would mean ignoring an enormous potential source of knowledge. In writing the chapters of this book we have striven to present some of the unique features of the arachnids. But the result of our efforts is not just meant to contribute to an understanding of the particularities of the arach­ nids.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642703508
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	11/17/2011
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1985
Pages:	388
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

A The Central Nervous System: Structure and Development.- I Patterns of Arrangement and Connectivity in the Central Nervous System of Arachnids.- II Ontogeny of the Arachnid Central Nervous System.- III The Stomatogastric Nervous System and Neurosecretion.- B Structure and Function of Sensory Systems.- Vision.- IV The Morphology and Optics of Spider Eyes.- V The Fine Structure of Spider Photoreceptors in Relation to Function.- VI Photoreceptor Cells in the Spider Eye: Spectral Sensitivity and Efferent Control.- Mechano- and Chemoreception.- VII Mechano- and Chemoreceptive Sensilla.- VIII Trichobothria.- IX Slit Sensilla and the Measurement of Cuticular Strains.- Sensory Nerves and Peripheral Synapses.- X Sensory Nerves and Peripheral Synapses.- C Senses and Behavior.- XI Neuroethology of the Spider Vibration Sense.- XII Spider Proprioception: Receptors, Reflexes, and Control of Locomotion.- XIII Target Discrimination in Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae).- XIV Homing Behavior and Orientation in the Funnel-Web Spider, Agelena labyrinthica Clerck.- XV Analytical Cybernetics of Spider Navigation.- D The Motor System.- XVI Neural Control of the Heartbeat and Skeletal Muscle in Spiders and Scorpions.- XVII Central and Peripheral Organization of Scorpion Locomotion.- E Neurobiology of a Biological Clock.- XVIII Neurobiology of a Circadian Clock in the Visual System of Scorpions.