Light suppresses the activity of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons in the optic lobe of the swallowtail butterfly.
Intracellular recordings and stainings were made from 5-HT-immunoreactive neurons with a large soma at the anterior edge of the second optic neuropile of the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus. The neurons have a dendritic arborization in the third optic neuropile and project axonal processes to the first optic neuropile and the dorsal protocerebrum. The neurons discharged impulses in the dark and the impulse discharge was inhibited by illumination of the ipsilateral eye. The anatomical and physiological profiles suggest that the neurons may have a role in controlling the light-dark adaptation or the overall activity of the optic lobe and the midbrain.
Ichikawa
T
T
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002080:Butterflies / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007546:Isoquinolines; D008027:Light; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D012701:Serotonin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D007546:Isoquinolines; D012701:Serotonin; C017475:lucifer yellow