Meeting Abstract
P3.186 Monday, Jan. 6 15:30 Small cardioactive peptide immunoreactivity in the nudibranch Melibe leonina NEWCOMB, J.M.*; WATSON, III, W.H.; New England College; University of New Hampshire jnewcomb@nec.edu
Small cardioactive peptide (SCP) is a neurotransmitter that influences numerous biological functions in molluscs, including heart activity and feeding. The purpose of this study was to localize SCP-immunoreactive neurons in the brain and periphery of the nudibranch Melibe leonina. Using monoclonal antibodies directed against SCPB, we were able to identify roughly a dozen bilaterally symmetrical neurons throughout the major ganglia of the brain. The most prominent were a bilateral pair of neurons located in the buccal ganglia. These buccal neurons gave rise to extensive processes in all of the buccal nerves, some of which appeared to innervate the esophagus. SCP immunoreactivity was also present in a number of other nerves emanating from the brain. These results indicate that SCPB is likely to play an important role in neural networks controlling the physiology and behavior of Melibe, particularly those involved in aspects of feeding and digestion.
