Members
6th
● Katushi KAGAYA Assistant Professor
Research Interests: Animal Physiology
Research Topic: Brain-body mechanism and its evolution of ultrafast movement in mantis shrimp
Short Introduction
The function of central nervous system has evolved in the specific embedding body and environment. Katsushi has been working on neurophysiological mechanisms underlying crayfish behavior. He is interested in fitting relationship of 'Innenwelt' and 'Umwelt' of animal species produced by specific bauplan acquired through evolutionary processes. A bauplan sometimes realizes eye-popping function. Mantis shrimp (stomatopoda) perform far faster movement than the muscle contraction through mechanics of springs and latches acquired by the specialized skeletal system. Mantis shrimp can be categorized to two groups: ‘smasher’ approaching and striking hard-shelled preys, and ‘spearers’ extending its appendages and capturing soft-bodied ones. By applying approaches of comparative physiology to the two types of mantis shrimp, he is aiming at clarifying integrative design principle of central nervous system, body and environment for ultrafast movement.
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