Identified descending brain neurons control different stridulatory motor patterns in an acridid grasshopper |
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Authors: | B Hedwig R Heinrich |
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Institution: | I. Zoologisches Institut, Berliner Stra?e 28, D-37073 G?ttingen, Germany, Tel.: +49-55l/395408, Fax: +49-55l/395438, DE
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Abstract: | During courtship sequences male grasshoppers of the species Omocestus viridulus successively perform with their hindlegs three different stridulatory movement patterns: ordinary stridulation, hindleg shaking
and precopulatory movements. Microinjection of acetylcholine into protocerebral neuropil regions can either elicit complete
courtship sequences or evoke one of the three motor patterns. Intracellular recordings and stainings revealed three types
of descending brain neurons: B-DC-3, B-DC-4 and B-DC-5. All three types of interneurons have a medial axon position in the
connectives. They cross the midline of the protocerebrum and exhibit a profuse arborization pattern within the medial dorsal
protocerebral neuropil. Stimulation of each type of interneuron specifically elicits one particular motor pattern of courtship
behaviour. Courtship of the grasshopper O. viridulus may therefore be controlled by successive activation of these descending brain neurons.
Accepted: 27 September 1996 |
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Keywords: | Grasshopper Stridulation Brain neurons Motor patterns Pharmacological stimulation |
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