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Multi-unit recording of antennal mechano-sensitive units in the central complex of the cockroach, Blaberus discoidalis

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Abstract

The central complex (CC) is a group of midline neuropils in the protocerebrum of all insects (Williams, J Zool, 176:67–86, 1975; Strausfeld, Prog Brain Res, 123:273–284, 1999). Its columnar organization coupled with the anatomical tracts to and from this region suggests that the CC may supervise various forms of locomotion. In cockroach, lesions of the CC affect turning and controlled climbing over blocks (Ridgel et al., J Comp Physiol A, 193:385–402, 2007). Since these behaviors are largely directed by tactile cues detected by antennae, we predicted that some neurons in the CC respond to mechanical antennal stimulation. We used 16-channel probes to record from broad regions within the CC, while mechanically stimulating one or the other antenna. Using cluster cutting procedures, we examined 277 units in 31 preparations. Many of these units responded to mechanical stimulation of the antennae, and of these, most responded equally well to medial or lateral stimulation of either antenna. However, several units either responded to only one antenna or responded significantly more strongly to one of them. Most of the units responding to antennal stimulation were sensitive to changes in the velocity as well as changes in light. Our data reveal a large population of mult-sensory neurons in the CC that could contribute to locomotion control.

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Abbreviations

CC:

Central complex

SOG:

Suboesophageal ganglion

FB:

Fan-shaped body

EB:

Ellipsoid body

PB:

Protocerebral bridge

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Kevin C. Daly for help in learning the multi-unit recording procedures and Drs John Bender and Joanne Westin as well as two anonymous reviewers for critically reviewing the manuscript. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0516587 to RER. The experiments described in this paper comply with the “Principles of animal care”, publication No. 86-23, revised 1985 of the National Institute of Health.

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  1. Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7080, USA

    Roy E. Ritzmann, Angela L. Ridgel & Alan J. Pollack

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  1. Roy E. Ritzmann
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  2. Angela L. Ridgel
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  3. Alan J. Pollack
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Correspondence to Roy E. Ritzmann.

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Ritzmann, R.E., Ridgel, A.L. & Pollack, A.J. Multi-unit recording of antennal mechano-sensitive units in the central complex of the cockroach, Blaberus discoidalis . J Comp Physiol A 194, 341–360 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0310-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-007-0310-2

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