Embryonic and larval development of the olfactory system in malacostracan crustaceans: a comparative approach

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Steffen Harzsch
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 447807274

Contrary to the insects, the development of the crustacean central and peripheral olfactory pathway is not well understood although the functional morphology of the ADULT olfactory system has been extensively analysed in representaives of the malacostracan crustaceans such as crayfish and spiny lobster. Because holometabolous insects and crustaceans display distinct differences in their developmental cycles, the current project asks the question if such differences between the two taxa may also exist concerning the ontogeny of the olfactory system. To adress this question we will analyse embryos and larvae of three malacostaracn representatives, the crayfish Procambarus virginalis, the European shore crab Carcinus maenas, and the amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis. We have choosen these three taxa because developmental stages are easily accessible from lab cultures, because they display differences in their developmental cycles, and because they display differences in the level of complexitiy of thier olfactory systems. Using a set of markers which we previously employed to analyse the ADULT crustacean olfactory system we will analyse the dynamics of emergence and maturation of the olfactory sensory neurons of the antennae and also of olfactory interneurons (local olfactory interneurons and olfactory projection neurons) innervation the primary chemosensory centers in the brain, the olfactory lobes. Specifically, we are interested in the processes that govern formation of the glomeruli (areas of dense synaptic neuropil) in the olfactory lobes and possible roles of glial cells and blood vessels in this process. Our study will not only provide new insights into the evolution of neurogenetic processes in arthropods but also into the functional morphology of the olfactory system in crustaceans.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants