Afferent projections of infrared-sensitive sensilla in the beetle Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) |
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Authors: | W. Gronenberg Helmut Schmitz |
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Affiliation: | Theodor Boveri Institut der Universit?t, Lehrstuhl für Verhaltensphysiologie und Soziobiologie, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany, DE Institut für Zoologie der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universit?t Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schlo?, D-53115 Bonn, Germany, DE
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Abstract: | Beetles of the genus Melanophila are able to detect infrared radiation by using specialized sensilla in their metathoracic pit organs. We describe the afferent projections of the infrared-sensitive neurons in the central nervous system. The axons primarily terminate in the central neuropil of the fused second thoracic ganglia where they establish putative contacts with ascending interneurons. Only a few collaterals appear to be involved in local (uniganglionic) circuits. About half of the neurons send their axons further anterior to the prothoracic ganglion. A subset of these ascend to the subesophageal ganglion, and about 10% project to the brain. Anatomical similarities suggest that the infrared-sensitive neurons are derived from neurons supplying mechanosensory sensilla. The arborization pattern of the infrared afferents suggests that infrared information is processed and integrated upstream from the thoracic ganglia. |
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