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Cited by 128Marine Invertebrate Physiology and EcologyNeurobiology and Insect Physiology ResearchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Central Neural Circuitry in the Jellyfish Aglantha

Mackie, George O.·2004·Neurosignals
DOI 10.1159/000076155
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Abstract

Like other hydrozoan medusae, Aglantha lacks a brain, but the two marginal nerve rings function together as a central nervous system. Twelve neuronal and two excitable epithelial conduction systems are described and their interactions summarized. Aglantha differs from most medusae in having giant axons. It can swim and contract its tentacles in two distinct ways (escape and slow). Escape responses are mediated primarily by giant axons but conventional interneurons are also involved in transmission of information within the nerve rings during one form of escape behavior. Surprisingly, giant axons provide the motor pathway to the swim muscles in both escape and slow swimming. This is possible because these axons can conduct calcium spikes as well as sodium spikes and do so on an either/or basis without overlap. The synaptic and ionic bases for these responses are reviewed. During feeding, the manubrium performs highly accurate flexions to points at the margin. At the same time, the oral lips flare open. The directional flexions are conducted by FMRFamide immunoreactive nerves, the lip flaring by an excitable epithelium lining the radial canals. Inhibition of swimming during feeding is due to impulses propagated centrifugally in the same epithelium. Aglantha probably evolved from an ancestor possessing a relatively simple wiring plan, as seen in other hydromedusae. Acquisition of giant axons resulted in considerable modification of this basic plan, and required novel solutions to the problems of integrating escape with non-escape circuitry.

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Crossref · 10.1159/000076155

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  • The interaction of excitable epithelia and nerve nets in Aglantha digitale cannot be considered primitive because its nervous system must have been extensively reorganized to integrate two giant axons for a fast escape response.

    “However, their interaction cannot be seen as primitive as this organism's nervous system must have undergone a major evolutionary overhaul to accommodate and integrate two giant axons used for a fast escape response [89].”

    From An option space for early neural evolution (2015) · cites this paper as [89]

  • Circuit evolution in some crown cnidarians resulted in the development of rapid motor networks that mediate fast muscle contractions during an escape response.

    “Circuit evolution in some of the crown cnidarians resulted in the development of rapid motor networks that mediate fast muscle contractions during an escape response.”

    From Origin and early evolution of neural circuits for the control of ciliary locomotion (2011) · cites this paper as [67]

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Authors
Mackie, G. O.
Affiliations
University of Victoria (CA)
Corresponding author
Mackie, George O.
Venue
Neurosignals
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2004
Volume
13
Issue
1-2
Pages
5-19
ISSN
  • 1424-862X (ISSN-L)
  • 1424-8638
DOI
10.1159/000076155
OpenAlex
W2085372568
Cited by
128
References
65
Citations by year
2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neurosignals (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
giant axons, escape behavior, swimming, calcium spikes, sodium spikes, feeding behavior, neural circuit evolution, hydromedusae, interneurons
MeSH terms
Action Potentials, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Cnidaria, Electrophysiology, Escape Reaction, Feeding Behavior, Models, Neurological, Nerve Net, Nervous System, Neurons, Swimming

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