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Occurrence of synapses in peripheral sensory nerves of arachnids

Abstract

RECEPTOR cells of arthropods are presumed to send their axons directly into the central nervous system1,2. Second order fibres supposedly do not occur in the periphery, and thus the first synaptic connections ought to lie within the ganglionic neuropiles. We report, however, that synapses do occur regularly in peripheral sensory nerves of at least two arachnid orders, whip spiders (Amblypygi) and harvestmen (Opiliones).

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FOELIX, R. Occurrence of synapses in peripheral sensory nerves of arachnids. Nature 254, 146–148 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/254146a0

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