Neuroanatomical, Immunocytochemical and Electrophysiological Studies on Cercal Sensory Receptors in the Female Locust

Relatively little is still known about the function, types and location of cercal sensory systems. This system detects and encodes different sensory modalities: wind, touch and gustatory. It is focused on fine structure and distribution of various types of cercal sensilla in the desert locust were investigated with scanning electron microscope and neuroanatomical techniques. Two types of sensory receptors were identified and classified as mechanoreceptors (filiform sensilla) and chemoreceptors (basiconic sensilla). Also, the morphology and the organization of individual sensory receptors (mechanoreceptors or chemoreceptors) in the CNS were examined by immunocytochemical characterization of single neuron. All afferent fibres from individual filiform and basiconic sensilla project in the tenth neuromere of the terminal abdominal ganglion. Projections from single multiply innervated hair sensilla do not segregate with the exception of one afferent of contact chemosensory hairs which terminate only in its segmental neuromere, as was shown for other contact chemoreceptors of the abdomen. Another focus is on the electrophysiological response of individual mechanoreceptors or chemoreceptors to mechanical or chemical stimulation were analyzed. [Journal of American Science 2010;6(6):16-23]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).