This project focuses broadly on how sensory systems are integral to the neural control of behaviour.  Despite extensive neuroethological study of gastropod molluscs, there is minimal understanding of their sensory pathways. For example,previous work has identified nitrergic chemosensory neurons, glutamergic mechanosensory neurons, and an extensive population of catecholaminergic sensory neurons of unknown modality. Other observations suggest histaminergic sensory innervation may be present, and peptidergic sensory neurons have been identified in some species. However, these observations are collated from different species and different studies. There has been no comprehensive study in a single species of all transmitters in both peripheral and central locations, making it difficult to match modality, morphology and neurotransmitter content. Consequently, the goal of this research is to create a thorough map of the snesory neuroanatomy of the of the gastropod  Lymnaea stagnalis. Using a combination of backfills, vital stains and immunocytochemistry, cataloguing the different components of the nervous system in the lips and tentacles, and their connection to the central  nervous system is underway. In physiological experiments the different modalities of these and other populations found in the map will be identified. When finished the sensory map will provide a basis for targeted studies of sensory contributions to the neural control of specific gastropod behaviours.  Furthermore, these results will improve understanding of both mechanosensation and the peripheral nervous system, both neglected areas of study in gastropods.

We use the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis as a representative of the phyllum mollusca to study the effects of varying concentrations of 2-Hydroxyfluorene, a PAH documented to have estrogenic effects in concentrations as low as 10-7g/L in invertebrates, on the anatomy, behaviour and reproductive capacity of the snail. Future work will attempt to examine the offspring of snails brought up with PAHs to determine it the effects following exposure to PAHs are reversible or if they become incorporated into the genome in subsequent generations.