Garm, Anders, Charles D. Derby, and Jens T. Hoeg. 2004. Mechanosensory neurons with bend- and osmo-sensitivity in mouthpart setae from the spiny lobster Panulirus argus. Biol. Bull. 207:195-208.

In a study of the mechanoreceptors found in the mouthparts of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus, macro video recordings were made in order to document mouthpart and setal use during feeding. Recordings were done from outside the tanks with a 3CCD color camera (Sony DXC-950P) equipped with a macro lens (MicroNikor 105 mm) and stored on either mini DV or S-VHS videotapes. Special attention was put on documentation of very variable feeding behavior with flexible mouthpart movements (video 1) and on documentation of setal bending during food manipulation (video 2).

Video 1. this video clip shows typical feeding behavior of P. argus. The food eaten is a piece of squid. In this sequence three of the four appendages used in the study are clearly seen, the mandibular palp, the endopod of maxilliped 2, and the endopod of maxilliped 3. The mandibular palps (lying above the mouth) do not move independently; but both maxilliped 2 and 3 are very active, forcing their distal segments along with their setae into the prey item. The movements of the latter two are very flexible and without repeated patterns.

Video 2. in this slow motion sequence (1/5 speed), the endopods of maxilliped 3 shred the piece of squid. In this action, where the endopods move ventrally from a dorsal position, most of the setae on the medial side of the limb are in close contact with the prey. In the last half of the sequence a few setae on both left and right merus bend as they move along the prey. See paper for validity of this observation.