Physiology and morphology of sustaining and dimming neurons of the crab Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura: Grapsidae).

In crustaceans, sustaining (SN) and dimming (DN) neurons are readily identified by their distinct responses to a light pulse. However, morphological identification and electrophysiological characterization of these neurons has been achieved only in the crayfish. This study provides a description of SNs and DNs in a second crustacean species, the crab Chasmagnathus. SNs and DNs of the crab arborize extensively in the medulla and the axons project to the midbrain. Upon a light pulse, SNs depolarize and increase the firing rate while DNs hyperpolarize and reduce firing. These responses are highly consistent and their magnitudes depend on the intensity of the light pulse. When stimulated with a wide-field motion grating, SNs respond with a modulation of the membrane potential and spike frequency. We also characterized the responses of these neurons to a rotating e-vector of polarized light. SNs show the maximum depolarization when the e-vector approaches vertical. In contrast, DNs show maximal depolarization to near horizontal e-vector orientations. The semi-terrestrial crab and the crayfish inhabit unique light environments and exhibit disparate visual behaviors. Yet, we found that the location, morphology and physiology of SNs and DNs of the crab are nearly identical to those described in the crayfish.