Chemical codes for the control of behaviour in arthropods

Abstract

Neuromodulators and hormones elicit and modify well-defined behaviours. Their mode of action can be studied to advantage in arthropods, where the natural releasing cells and neuronal target circuits are concisely identified. The coordinated actions of biogenic amines and peptides on both central and peripheral neural activity and metabolic processes bias the whole organism to perform a coherent behavioural routine.