Atlas of serotonin-containing neurons in the optic lobes and brain of the crayfish, Cherax destructor.

An atlas of neurons in the brain of the crayfish Cherax destructor that are immunoreactive to antibodies raised against serotonin has been compiled from whole mount preparations. Neuronal networks of serotonin-containing cells are identified in the optic lobes and protocerebrum, in the deutocerebrum, and in the tritocerebrum. The consistency of the whole-mount technique allows 50 out of a total of about 100 immunoreactive cells to be individually identified according to their neuronal architecture or the location of their cell somata or axons. Apart from six neurons with axons in the oesophageal connectives, all the immunoreactive cells are intrinsic to the optic lobes and brain.