- 1.
A motor programme underlying backward swimming in the squat lobster Galathea strigosa is described. Swimming is accomplished by repeated flexions and extensions of the abdomen. This investigation indicates that the behaviour is generated centrally, possibly in the suboesophageal or thoracic nervous system, and is probably homologous with non-giant escape behaviour in crayfish.
- 2.
The effects of sensory feedback on the swimming rhythm have been investigated in free-swimming and restrained preparations. Proprioceptive feedback, probably originating in the abdominal muscle receptor organs, is involved in the maintenance of high frequency swimming.
- 3.
During swimming, the walking legs and unmodified male swimmerets are rhythmically active in phase with abdominal flexion. Swimmeret ‘flicking’ in the male is effected by high frequency spiking in a single phasic swimmeret motor neurone. The results suggest that, when active, the central pattern generator for swimming dominates other neural oscillators for rhythmic limb movements.
In the field: an interview with Harald Wolf
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In our new Conversation, Harald Wolf talks about his fieldwork experiences working with desert ants in Tunisia to understand their navigation.
Propose a new Workshop
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Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Julian Dow steps down and John Terblanche joins the JEB team
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After 15 years with the journal, Julian Dow from University of Glasgow, UK, is stepping down as a Monitoring Editor. We wish Julian all the best for the future and welcome John Terblanche, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, who is joining the team. Julian talks about his long association with The Company of Biologists and the journal and John tells us about his life and career in this News article.
An accelerometer-derived ballistocardiogram method for detecting heart rate in free-ranging marine mammals
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Max Czapanskiy and co show how the resting heart rates of blue whales are immortalized in the accelerometry traces collected by motion sensing data tags.
Global change and physiological challenges for Amazonian fish
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In their Review, Adalberto Luis Val and Chris Wood discuss the physiological threats to the unique and diverse fish fauna of Amazonia.
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