Functional Anatomy of the Giant Fiber System of Callianassa californiensis

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Abstract
The central nervous system of the macrurous anomuran decapod C. californiensis contains a pair of giant fibers 30-40 micra in diameter which conduct at a velocity of 6-7.5 m./sec. at 20[degree]-22[degree]C. These giant fibers make functional contact in the brain at a "synapse" which in fresh prepns. has a delay less than 0.5 millisecond. The abdominal flexor muscles of one side respond to the same degree upon stimulation of either the right giant fiber, the left giant fiber or both giant fibers together. The telson nerves are arranged in such a way that more nerve fibers are stimulated by the giant fiber of the ipsilateral side than are stimulated by the giant fiber of the contralateral side. Stimulation of both giant fibers together produces in the telson nerves of one side a response similar to, and no greater than, that produced by stimulation of the ipsilateral giant fiber alone. The characteristics of the giant fibers of Callianassa suggest that they are comparable to the medial giant fibers of other decapods.
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