Die Augenstielbewegungen der Languste (Palinurus vulgaris)

Summary Palinurus vulgaris shows clear compensatory eye stalk movements when turning actively around a vertical axis. Exactly the same eye stalk movements are observed after blinding of the animal (measurement of film pictures). On passive rotation only the intact animal shows compensatory eye stalk movements (= optomotoric reactions); in the blinded lobster such movements are lacking, except when a torsion of the body with respect to the legs is effectuated (stimulation of proprioceptors). It is suggested that the compensatory eye stalk movements of the actively turningPalinurus are no optomotoric reactions, and possibly no sensory reactions at all; but that they are spontaneous acts originating primarily within the central nervous system.