Summary
-
1.
The anatomy of a giant movement detector neurone in the locust lobula (the LGMD) is described on the basis of both intracellular injection of cobalt (Fig. 2) and the reconstruction of osmium-ethyl gallate and silver impregnated serial sections (Fig. 3).
-
2.
It is shown that the LGMD has an anatomically complex junction with a previously described interneurone, the Descending Contralateral Movement Detector (Fig. 4), and that spikes in the LGMD precede 1∶1 with fixed latency spikes in the DCMD (Figs. 1,5).
-
3.
Three separate dendritic subfields are seen in the lobula complex (Figs. 2, 3); these are tentatively ascribed to the three different classes of input to the cell.
-
4.
A large part of the LGMD's terminal arborisation appears to serve only a single functional junction, that with the DCMD (Fig. 4).
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Burrows, M., Rowell, C. H. F.: Connections between descending interneurons and metathoracic motoneurons in the locust. J. comp. Physiol.85, 221–234 (1973)
Chen, J. S., Chen, M. G. M.: Modification of the Bodian technique applied to insect nerves. Stain Technol.44, 50–51 (1969)
Gouranton, J.: Contribution à l'étude de la structure des ganglions cérébroides deLocusta migratoria migratorioides. Bull. Soc. zool. France89, 785–797 (1964)
Horn, G., Rowell, C. H. F.: Medium and long-term changes in the behaviour of visual interneurones in the tritocerebrum of the locust. J. exp. Biol.49, 143–169 (1968)
O'Shea, M., Rowell, C. H. F., Williams, J. L. D.: The anatomy of a locust visual interneurone; the descending contralateral movement detector. J. exp. Biol.60, in press (1974)
Palka, J.: Moving movement detectors. Amer. Zool.12, 497–505 (1972)
Pitman, R. M., Tweedle, C. D., Cohen, M. J.: Branching of central neurons: intracellular cobalt injection for light and electron microscopy. Science176, 412–414 (1972)
Rowell, C. H. F.: Variable responsiveness of a visual interneurone in the free-moving locust, and its relation to behaviour and arousal. J. exp. Biol.55, 727–747 (1971a)
Rowell, C. H. F.: Antennal cleaning, arousal and visual interneurone responsiveness in a locust. J. exp. Biol.55, 749–761 (1971b)
Rowell, C. H. F.: The orthopteran descending movement detector (DMD) neurones: a characterisation and review. Z. vergl. Physiol.73, 167–194 (1971c)
Steedman, H. F.: Section cutting in microscopy. Oxford (England): Blackwell Scientific Publications 1960
Wigglesworth, V. B.: The use of osmium in the fixation and staining of tissue. Proc. roy. Soc. B147, 185–199 (1957)
Wigglesworth, V. B.: The histology of the nervous system of an insectRhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera). II. The central ganglia. Quart. J. micr. Sci.100, 299–314 (1959)
Wigglesworth, V. B.: Axon structure and dictyosomes (Golgi Bodies) in the neurones of the cockroach,Periplaneta americana. Quart. J. micr. Sci.101, 381–388 (1960)
Williams, J. L. D.: Some observations on the neuronal organisation of the supra-oesophageal ganglion inSchistocerea gregaria Forskăl with particular reference to the central complex. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Wales, Cardiff, Wales (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors wish to thank Professor C. H. F. Rowell and Dr. David Bentley for their help and encouragement throughout the course of this work.
This research was supported by a NATO/SRC post-doctoral fellowship to M. O'Shea and by NIH Grant No. 1 R01 NS 09404 to C. H. F. Rowell.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
O'Shea, M., Williams, J.L.D. The anatomy and output connection of a locust visual interneurone; the lobular giant movement detector (LGMD) neurone. J. Comp. Physiol. 91, 257–266 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00698057
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00698057