Structure of the Nervous System: General Design and Gross Anatomy

The myriad behaviors characteristic of crustaceans reflect the diverse lifestyles (pelagic, benthic, terrestrial, parasitic, sessile) of this large taxon. These behaviors are controlled by nervous systems whose basic structure is conserved across the Crustacea. Crustacean nervous systems are also characterized by extensive taxon-specific adaptations, including marked reductions (e.g., sessile barnacles) and increases (e.g., territorial stomatopods) in complexity. This chapter outlines the organization of the sensory and central nervous systems of the principal crustacean taxa, highlighting both conserved and specialized features.