Effect of acute temperature change on lung respiration of the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis

Abstract

1. Temperature-dependent effects on respiratory behaviour as well as the corresponding temperature-dependent activities of identified neurons within the respiratory network of the pulmonate snail Lymnaea stagnalis were investigated. 2. Lymnaea lung ventilation terminated at low temperatures (under 10 °C) while temperature elevation increased ventilation rates. The respiratory central pattern generator (CPG) functioning was relatively quiescent at temperatures under 12.5±0.44 °C. 3. Identified CPG neurons (RPeD1, VD4, VD1/RPaD2) and the respiratory network motor neurons (Vi- and RPa-cells) were found to exhibit varied temperature-dependent electrophysiological parameters (action potential frequency and amplitude, resting potential value) between cell types. 4. The observed alterations in the electrical activity of the Lymnaea respiratory network neurons underlie the marked changes of respiratory behaviour observed in the intact animal during temperature changes.