Escapes in copepods: comparison between myelinate and amyelinate species

Rapid conduction in myelinated nerves keeps distant parts of large organisms in timely communication. It is thus surprising to find myelination in some very small organisms. Calanoid copepods, while sharing similar body plans, are evenly divided between myelinate and amyelinate taxa. In seeking the selective advantage of myelin in these small animals, representatives from both taxa were subjected to a brief hydrodynamic stimulus that elicited an escape response. The copepods differed significantly in their ability to localize the stimulus: amyelinate copepods escaped in the general direction of their original swim orientation, often ending up closer to the stimulus. However, myelinate species turned away from the stimulus and distanced themselves from it, irrespective of their original orientation. We suggest that faster impulse conduction of myelinated axons leads to better precision in the timing and processing of sensory information, thus allowing myelinate copepods to better localize stimuli and respond appropriately.