Effects of temperature on the endogenous activity and synaptic interactions of the salivary burster neurones in the terrestrial slug Limax maximus.

(1) The activity of the endogenously active salivary burster neurones (SBs) shows temperature acclimation and has characteristic cold and warm blockade temperatures. (2) Temperature acclimation affects the upper and lower limits of the temperature range over which SBs are active. The absolute range, in centigrade degrees, during warming, is unaffected by acclimation. (3) Acclimatization of burster activity is a slow response to the mean ambient temperature. (4) There is increased synchrony of activity between the right and left salivary bursters at low temperature which is correlated with an increased electrical coupling between the SBs and protractor motoneurones (B7s). There is a corresponding increase in the input resistance of B7 at low temperatures.