Giant Neurons in Crabs Encode Complex Memories

In this study it was learned that the Chasmagnathus granulatus crab has a suprisingly complex memory which requires multiple brain regions. Neuroscientists at the University of Buenos Aires used cardboard cutouts of seagulls to test crabs’ memory skills. They found that the crabs could recognize the cardboard seagulls and figure out that they were nonthreatening. Implying that they are able to apply learned knowledge and retain that information. They still recognized the cutouts as nonthreatening even after a 24 hour period.The researchers tied the crabs’ behavior to lobula giant neurons, a type of brain cell found in crustaceans. And the other habits like remembering the environment and locations of threats or food come from other parts of their brain. One researcher even said if they could understand the memory of such basic animals then they could begin to understand that of a more complex being. This article was found at:http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=clever-crustaceans