Supraesophageal Ganglia Influences on Limulus Heart Rhythm: Confirmatory Evidence

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Abstract
The supraesophageal ganglia of Limulus are capable of exerting a strong, phasic, inhibitory effect on heart rate. Stimulation at low frequencies was found to produce a transient inhibition of rate. This effect was mediated by dorsal nerves 7 and 8 emerging from the postesophageal ganglia. Since these nerves are inhibitory in function, it is suggested that the Limulus brain may exert its inhibitory effect on heart rate by providing an excitatory drive of cardioinhibitors lower in the system. The results of various lesions showed that a split of the supraesophageal ganglia produces a transient, moderate cardioacceleration indicating a weak tonic influence of the brain. A bilateral removal had no significant effects on rate. The possibility of opposing sets of function in Limulus brain is discussed.

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