title: Antennal pathways in the central nervous system of a blood-sucking bug, Rhodnius prolixus.
abstract: The haematophagous bug Rhodnius prolixus has been a model system in insect physiology for a long time. Recently, several studies have been devoted to its sensory systems, including olfaction. However, few data are available on the basic organisation of the nervous system in this species. By means of neuronal backfills, histology, confocal microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction methods, we have characterized the projection patterns of antennal sensory neurons within the central nervous system of this disease-vector insect. We established the first partial three-dimensional map of the antennal lobe (AL) of a hemipteran insect. The ALs of this species are relatively diffuse structures, which nevertheless show a glomerular organisation. Based on computer reconstruction of the AL, 22 glomeruli with a radius of 8-25 microm could be identified. No obvious sexual dimorphism of the glomerular architecture was observed. Antennal afferents project not only into the deutocerebrum, but also some fibres descend through the ventral nerve cord to ganglia belonging to the abdominal segments.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l'Insecte, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université François Rabelais, Avenue Monge, Parc Grandmont, 37200 Tours, France.
authors.forename: Romina B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Barrozo
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couton
authors.forename: Claudio R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lazzari
authors.forename: Teresita C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Insausti
authors.forename: Sebastian A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Minoli
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fresquet
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rospars
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012239:Rhodnius / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology