ABSTRACT
In the neurophysiological investigation of crustacean statocyst function, the requirement to administer a physiological stimulus is not easy to reconcile with the need to maintain a stable preparation for microelectrode recordings. In studies of sensory activity this dilemma has been overcome by using an isolated statocyst preparation with its associated sensory nerve (Cohen, 1955). In many cases where such preparations have been used, stimulation has nevertheless been by artificial means: irrigation of the statocyst sac (Sandeman & Okajima, 1972; Silvey & Sandeman, 1976), magnetic attraction of an artificial iron lith (Ozeki, Takahata & Hisada, 1978) or displacement of individual hairs with a needle (Cohen, 1960; Takahata & Hisada, 1979; Takahata, 1981). For studying reflex activity, it has proved possible to record with needle electrodes from large statocyst interneurones in dissected crabs mounted on pivoted platforms (Fraser, 1974, 1977; Fraser & Sandeman, 1975).
