[Conserved ergot-sensitive subunit of the central mechanism of locomotion in mollusca].

Alkaloids (ergotamine and ergometrine) were shown to slow down rhythmic locomotion in even distantly related molluscs. The same is true for crawling pulmonate, pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The ergotamine activation of a powerful inhibitory input to pedal neurones involved in locomotor rhythmicity, was shown. The data obtained suggest that the conservative target for ergots is located outside rather than within the central pattern generator for locomotion.