title: Organization of the sensory system of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris (Annelida, Clitellata) visualized by DiI.
abstract: The anatomical organization of the peripheral and central sensory structures of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris was investigated applying a fluorescent carbocyanine dye (DiI) as a neuronal tracer. Using whole-mount preparations and confocal laser scanning microscopy, the pattern of primary sensory cells and pathways of their processes were traced and reconstructed in three-dimensions. Our study shows that a ventral nerve cord ganglion receives sensory fibers from at least two adjacent segments suggesting that the peripheral nervous system is not segmental in its arrangement and the receptive-fields of the body wall overlap in earthworms. Furthermore, our result suggests an integrative function of the basiepidermal plexus consists of sensory and motor fibers.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Zoology, University of Pécs, Ifjúság u. 6, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary. gabor.kiszler@3dhistech.com
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kiszler
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varhalmi
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berta
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Molnar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000845:Annelida; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005724:Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes