Postembryonic development of an insect sensory system: ingrowth of axons from hindwing sense organs in Locusta migratoria

1978 ◽  
Vol 202 (1149) ◽  
pp. 497-516 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Postembryonic Development ◽  
Stretch Receptor ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Chordotonal Organ ◽  
Wingbeat Frequency ◽  
Adult Locust ◽  
Wing Bud ◽  
To Come

Axon counts have been made from electron micrographs of the hind­wing sensory nerves 1C 1 and 1D 2 in the adult locust and during develop­ment. In the adult, nerve 1C 1 contains approximately 1000 axons. At least a quarter have diameters over 1 µm, more than forty 5-12 µm. Seventy large axons come from the tegula, the rest from the wing. Nerve 1D 2 contains 400 axons, 64 between 1 µm and 6.5 µm in diameter. Large axons are assumed to come from the wing base chordotonal organ and stretch receptor, the remainder from thoracic hair fields. During development, axon numbers in nerve 1C 1 rapidly increase at the 4th instar, corresponding to the development of the wing bud. By the final moult there are over 2000 axons, half of which disappear in the two weeks after fledging. In nerve 1D 2 the stretch receptor and chor­dotonal axons are present from the first instar. Small fibres increase in number mainly in the 5th instar. In contrast to nerve 1C 1 there is no change in numbers after fledging. In both nerves, diameters and glial wrapping of axons increase in the two weeks after fledging, although the changes are more marked in nerve 1C 1 . The large input from the tegula suggests an important rôle in the phasic control of flight. The post-fledging increase in diameter and glial wrappings of tegula axons may influence the increase in wingbeat frequency with age.

Recovery of the flight system following ablation of the tegulae in immature adult locusts

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (6) ◽  
pp. 1395-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Gee ◽  
R Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Motor Pattern ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Wingbeat Frequency ◽  
Mature Adult ◽  
Flight System ◽  
Mature Adults ◽  
Locust Flight ◽  
Adult Locust ◽  
The Individual

The capacity of the flight system to recover from ablation of the tegulae was studied in immature adult Locusta migratoria and compared with recovery in mature adults. We ablated the hindwing tegulae or all tegulae in adult locusts either 1 day after the imaginal moult (immature locusts) or 2 weeks after the imaginal moult (mature locusts). We monitored recovery throughout the recovery period by using a stroboscope to measure the wingbeat frequency of tethered locusts. In addition, we measured other parameters of the flight motor pattern using electromyographic electrodes implanted into recovered locusts. Both methods of monitoring recovery yielded the same results. There was no reduction, during adult maturation, in the capacity of the locust flight system to recover from the loss of these proprioceptors. Plasticity of the locust flight system was therefore maintained in the mature adult locust. This suggests that the flight system is not fixed and simply implemented when the locust reaches adulthood, but that the circuitry can be remodelled throughout the animal's life to produce behaviour adapted to the needs and constraints of the individual.

scholarly journals RESPONSE PROPERTIES OF INTERNEURONS OF THE CRICKET CERCAL SENSORY SYSTEM ARE CONSERVED IN SPITE OF CHANGES IN PERIPHERAL RECEPTORS DURING MATURATION

1992 ◽  
Vol 164 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
AKIRA CHIBA ◽  
GÜNTER KÄMPER ◽  
R. K. MURPHEY
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Postembryonic Development ◽  
Response Decrement ◽  
Response Properties ◽  
Hair Sensilla ◽  
Intensity Response ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Constant Output ◽  
Rate Of Response

During postembryonic development of the cricket, the total number of filiform hair sensilla in the cereal sensory system increases approximately 40-fold. In addition, individual receptor hairs grow in size, changing the transducer properties of the sensilla and, thereby, the information transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS) by the sensory neurons. Interneurons MGI and 10–3 receive monosynaptic inputs from these sensory neurons and send outputs to anterior ganglia. We show that, in spite of the changes in the periphery, the response properties of these interneurons are relatively constant during development. The two interneurons differ in their frequency response, intensity response and rate of response decrement. Their respective response properties are conserved during the postembryonic period. The results suggest that systematic rearrangement of the sensory neuron-to-interneuron synapses plays an important role in maintaining a constant output of this sensory system to higher centers of the CNS during maturation of the cricket.

OCTOPAMINERGIC MODULATION OF THE FOREWING STRETCH RECEPTOR IN THE LOCUST LOCUSTA MIGRATORIA

1990 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAN-MARINO RAMIREZ ◽  
IAN ORCHARD
Keyword(s):  
Intact Animal ◽  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Motor Pattern ◽  
Stretch Receptor ◽  
Maximal Effect ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Entire Central Nervous System ◽  
Dorsal Unpaired Median ◽  
Stimulation Of

Modulatory actions of various biogenic amines and peptides on the locust forewing stretch receptor (SR) were examined. The response of the SR to sinusoidal wing movements was unaffected by physiological concentrations (5×10−8moll−1) of the peptides AKHI, AKHII, proctolin and FMRFamide. The biogenic amine octopamine, however, enhanced the SR response in a dosedependent manner when injected into the haemolymph of an almost intact animal or perfused over an isolated thorax preparation in which head, abdomen, gut and the entire central nervous system were removed (threshold at 5×10−8moll−1, maximal effect at 5×10−4moH−1 DL-octopamine). The SR was as sensitive to D-octopamine, the naturally occurring isomer of octopamine, as it was to DLoctopamine. Serotonin was equal to octopamine in effectiveness, followed in order of potency by synephrine, metanephrine and tyramine. Dopamine was ineffective. Phentolamine, but not DL-propranolol, antagonized the action of octopamine. The threshold of the modulatory effect of octopamine on the SR suggests that the increased haemolymph octopamine level which occurs during flight is sufficient to increase the SR activity. Two observations suggest that dorsal unpaired median (DUM) cells are involved in the octopaminergic modulation of the SR during flight: (1) selective stimulation of these cells modulated the SR response and this effect was blocked by phentolamine; and (2) a number of DUM cells were activated during flight. These results suggest that the SR activity is enhanced by octopamine following the onset of flight. Since the SR is involved in the control of wing beat frequency, the modulation of the SR might influence the generation of the motor pattern in flying locusts.

Neuropeptides and nasal secretion

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (4) ◽  
pp. L223-L235 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Baraniuk ◽  
M. Kaliner
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Mucosa ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Nerve ◽  
Sympathetic Nerves ◽  
Mucosal Injury ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Neurokinin A ◽  
Sympathetic Nervous Systems ◽  
Glandular Secretion

The nasal mucosa is innervated by the sensory, parasympathetic, and sympathetic nervous systems. Nociceptive sensory nerves are stimulated by mucosal injury, inhalation of irritants, or mast cell degranulation and release of the calcitonin gene-related peptide, the tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A, and other peptides by the axon response mechanism. Sensory nerve stimulation initiates systemic reflexes, such as the sneeze, and central parasympathetic reflexes which release acetylcholine, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and other peptides and lead to glandular secretion. In concert, these proinflammatory neural responses lead to vasodilation, vascular permeability, and glandular secretion. Sympathetic nerves release neuropeptide Y and norepinephrine, potent vasoconstrictors which act to decompress the nasal mucosa and produce nasal patency. The balance between the effects of parasympathetic and sympathetic neurotransmitters may regulate nasal homeostasis, whereas the nociceptive sensory system may be held in reserve as a defense mechanism. Dysfunction of these systems may lead to pathological nasal syndromes. In the future, specific neuropeptide agonists and antagonists may be useful for the treatment of human rhinitic diseases.

Molecular cloning of a female-specific cDNA with unique repeat sequences from the fat body of the adult locust, Locusta migratoria

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 829-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qili Feng ◽  
Subba R. Palli ◽  
Tim R. Ladd ◽  
Sardar S. Sohi ◽  
Arthur Retnakaran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Cloning ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Repeat Sequences ◽  
Adult Locust ◽  
Female Specific

The Auditory Behaviour of Flying Locusts

1989 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANIEL ROBERT
Keyword(s):  
Avoidance Response ◽  
Locusta Migratoria ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Frequency Component ◽  
Avoidance Behaviour ◽  
Directional Hearing ◽  
Wingbeat Frequency ◽  
Auditory Physiology

The auditory behaviour of tethered locusts flying in a wind tunnel was investigated under controlled acoustic conditions. 1. Reflection, attenuation and diffraction of ultrasound evoked by the locust's physical presence caused pronounced distortions of the acoustic field. Interaural pressure variations were observed that account for directional hearing at high frequencies. 2. Sound field measurements indicated only a minor influence of flight posture or wing position on the interaural pressure gradient. 3. The locusts steered away from pulsed ultrasounds that simulated bat echolocation signals. The phonotactic response was measured as ruddering by the abdomen and hind legs, resulting in a yaw torque directed away from the sound source. Wingbeat frequency increased by 15% in response to ultrasonic stimulation. This behaviour is considered to be analogous to the bat avoidance behaviour of flying crickets. 4. The avoidance response was observed for carrier frequencies higher than 10 kHz and for sound pressure levels (on average) higher than 45 dB SPL. Lowfrequency stimuli (<10kHz) failed to elicit any phonotactic steering at any intensity used (up to 100dB SPL). Because of its relatively low threshold of reaction, this steering behaviour is thought to be part of an early-warning system adapted to the acoustic detection of echolocating predators. 5. The avoidance response was suppressed when a 30 kHz (normally effective) tone was combined with a 5 kHz tone (which is ineffective alone). Two-tone suppression only occurred when the low-frequency component was 10–15 dB SPL higher than the high-frequency tone. The biological significance of two-tone suppression is discussed. 6. The intensity-response characteristics, the frequency sensitivity and the twotone suppression of the avoidance behaviour are discussed with respect to the auditory physiology of Locusta migratoria. The involvement of some identified auditory ascending interneurones in the avoidance behaviour is considered.

The Function of the Brain of Octopus in Tactile Discrimination

1957 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-142
Author(s):  
M. J. WELLS ◽  
J. WELLS
Keyword(s):  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Proprioceptive Information ◽  
Tactile Discrimination ◽  
Nerve Impulses ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Scanning Mechanism ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

The results of fifty-three experiments in which octopuses were trained to make tactile discriminations between the members of pairs of Perspex cylinders are reported. Grooves cut into these otherwise smooth cylinders varied in number and arrangement. The proportion of errors made in distinguishing such objects depends upon the difference between the proportions of groove on the objects concerned, and is not affected by the pattern or orientation of the grooves. It has thus been possible to measure the similarity to Octopus of the objects used and to predict the errors that will be made in any such discrimination. When these results are considered in the light of the known nervous arrangements in the arms, it is possible to present a hypothesis about the mode of action of the peripheral tactile sensory system and the function of the brain. It is necessary to suppose that the latter distinguishes frequencies of nerve impulses in the sensory nerves from the arms; it is not necessary to postulate any projection of the sensory field or scanning mechanism involving the use of proprioceptive information.

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