Linear and non-linear electrical properties in peptidergic neurons of crayfish Procambarus clarkii and Cherax quadricarinatus

This work presents a comparative study of the electrophysiological properties of the peptidergic neurons in crayfish Procambarus clarkii and Cherax quadricarinatus. Recordings were made in order to determine the linear and non-linear properties of electrical activity in these neurons. Charge curves were obtained in order to carry out measurements of the input resistance and the determination of the electrotonic length as part of the linear properties of these cells. Different recordings of the action potentials and the ionic currents are presented as part of their non-linear properties. The electrotonic length in P. clarkii was 0.8253 0.1311 and 1.7616 0.4726 in C. quadricarinatus. The input resistance in P. clarkii was 92.4 23.2 M? and 56.46 17.2 M? in C. quadricarinatus. Silent neurons were recorded (53% in P. clarkii and 60 % in C. quadricarinatus) as well as tonic neurons (35% and 28% in each species respectively) and neurons responding with action potential bursts (12% for both species). We found potassium currents in both species that differ mostly in magnitude. Finally, we discuss the differences that were found in the electrical properties of the neurosecretory cells in crustaceans.