Role of maxilla 2 and its setae during feeding in the shrimp Palaemon adspersus (Crustacea : Decapoda)

Summary, in English

The movements of the basis of maxilla 2 in Palaemon adspersus were examined using macro-video recordings, and the morphology of its setae was examined using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The basis of maxilla 2 performs stereotypical movements in the latero-medial plane and gently touches the food with a frequency of 3-5 Hz. The medial rim of the basis of maxilla 2 carries three types of seta. Type 1 is serrate, type 2 and 3 are serrulate, and type 2 has a prominent terminal pore. Type 2 is innervated by 18-25 sensory cells whose cilia protrude through the terminal pore and are in direct contact with the external environment. The structure of type 2 setae indicates that they are mainly gustatory, although still bimodal due to their innervation by presumed chemosensory and mechanosensory neurons. Distally, the three types of setae have a complex arrangement of the cuticle involving water-filled canals, which may serve to improve flexibility. Type I and 3 setae have fewer sensory cells (4-9) but probably also have a bimodal sensory function. The function of type I setae is probably to protect type 2 setae, while type 3 setae might serve to groom the ventral side of the basis of maxilla 1.

• Author: A Garm; Eric Hallberg; JT Hoeg
• Department/s: Functional zoology
• Publishing year: 2003
• Language: English
• Pages: 126-137
• Publication/Series: Biological Bulletin
• Volume: 204
• Issue: 2
• Links: http://www.biolbull.org/cgi/content/abstract/204/2/126
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Marine Biological Laboratory
• Topic: Zoology
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 0006-3185