Neuromodulator-induced Temperature Robustness in a Motor Pattern: a Comparative Study Between two Decapod Crustaceans

Abstract

While temperature fluctuations pose significant challenges to the nervous system, many vital neuronal systems in poikilothermic animals function over a broad temperature range. Using the gastric mill pattern generator in the Jonah crab, we previously demonstrated that temperature-induced increases in leak conductance disrupt neuronal function and that neuropeptide modulation provides thermal protection. Here, we show that neuropeptide modulation also increases temperature robustness in Dungeness and Green crabs. Like in Jonah crabs, higher temperatures increased leak conductance in both species pattern-generating neuron LG and terminated rhythmic gastric mill activity. Likewise, increasing descending modulatory projection neuron activity or neuropeptide transmitter application rescued rhythms at elevated temperatures. However, decreasing input resistance using dynamic clamp only restored the rhythm in half of the experiments. Thus, neuropeptide modulation increased temperature robustness in both species, demonstrating that neuropeptide-mediated temperature compensation is not limited to one species, although the underlying cellular compensation mechanisms may be distinct. Summary statementThis study shows that the release of neuropeptide from modulatory projection neurons plays a crucial role in maintaining neuron and circuit function at elevated temperatures across crustacean species.