The function of the cercal sensory system in escape behavior of the cave cricket Troglophilus neglectus Krauss.
Long cerci of cave crickets Troglophilus neglectus Krauss (Rhaphidophoridae, Orthoptera) are, in contrast to other investigated species, oriented perpendicularly to the ground. Behavioural experiments indicated that cave crickets detect wind direction and respond to stimulation by jumping away from the stimulus. Directed wind puffs deflect filiform sensory hairs on the cerci, trigger physiological responses of their sensory neurons and change activity of interneurons that control the escape direction. Two local interneuron pairs, one non-spiking and one spiking, were identified using intracellular recording and subsequent dye injection techniques. The non-spiking interneuron responds to the puffs from sides with a large depolarization and to the puffs from the front and back of the animal with a small depolarization. After stimulation from the ipsilateral side the spiking interneuron responds with a burst of spikes at the onset of stimulation and, after stimulation from the contralateral side, it responds with a burst of spikes at the onset and at the end of the stimulation.
Schrader
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National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000502:physiology*; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000502:physiology*; D007395:Interneurons / Q000502:physiology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000502:physiology*; D013623:Tail