Summary
The anatomy of the sensory nerve branches in the mesothoracic and prothoracic femur ofSchistocerca is described. A single multipolar receptor cell on the cuticular end of the distal flexor tibiae muscle fibres is identified and examined. This cell is shown to be a tonic receptor for active and passive tension in the muscle fibres to which it is attached. It generally causes reflex excitation of flexor motoneurons and inhibition of the slow extensor neuron, although the sign of the reflexes can be reversed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- FTA :
-
femur-tibia angle
- SETi :
-
slow extensor motoneuron
- MRO :
-
muscle receptor organ
References
Anwyl, R.: The structure and properties of an abdominal stretch receptor inRhodnius prolixus. J. Insect Physiol.18, 2143–2154 (1972)
Barker, D.: The innervation of mammalian skeletal muscle. In: Myotatic kinesthetic and vestibular mechanisms. Reuk, A.V.S. de (ed.), pp. 3–15. Boston: Little, Brown 1967
Bässler, U.: Reversal of a reflex to a single motoneuron in the stick insect,Carausius morosus. Biol. Cybernetics24, 47–49 (1976)
Bässler, U.: Sense organs in the femur of the stick insect and their relevance to the control of position of the femur-tibia joint. J. Comp. Physiol.121, 99–113 (1977)
Burns, M.D.: The control of walking in Orthoptera. I. Leg Movements in normal walking. J. Exp. Biol.58, 45–58 (1973)
Burns, M.D.: The structure and physiology of the locust femoral chordotonal organ. J. Insect Physiol.20, 1319–1339 (1974)
Burrows, M., Horridge, G.A.: The organisation of inputs to motoneurons of the locust metathoracic leg. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. (Biol.)269, 49–94 (1974)
Campbell, J.I.: The anatomy of the nervous system of the mesothorax ofLocusta migratoria migratorioides R. & F. Proc. Zool. Soc. London137, 403–432 (1961)
Clarac, F., Dando, M.R.: Tension receptor reflexes in the walking legs of the crabCancer pagurus. Nature243, 94–95 (1973)
Coillot, J.P., Boistel, J.: Localisation et déscription des récepteurs à 1'étirement au niveau de l'articulation tibio-femorale de la patte sauteuse du criquet,Schistocerca gregaria. J. Insect Physiol.14, 1661–1667 (1968)
Eagles, D.A.: Tension receptors associated with muscles in the walking legs of the horseshoe crab,Limulus polyphemus. Mar. Behav. Physiol.5, 215–230 (1978)
Eagles, D.A., Gregg, R.A.: Receptors sensitive to muscle length in the horseshoe crab. Mar. Behav. Physiol. (in press)
Finlayson, L.H.: Proprioception in the invertebrates. Symp. Zool. Soc. London23, 217–249 (1968)
Finlayson, L.H.: Abdominal and thoracic receptors in insects, centipedes and scorpions. In: Structure and function of pro-prioceptors in the invertebrates. Mill. P.J. (ed.), pp. 153–212. London: Chapman and Hall 1976
Granit, R., Ström, G.: Autogenic modulation of excitability of single ventral horn cells. J. Neurophysiol.14, 113–132 (1951)
Heitler, W.J., Burrows, M.: The locust jump. II. Neural circuits of the motor programme. J. Exp. Biol.66, 221–241 (1977)
Houk, J.: A visco-elastic interaction which produces one component of adaptation in responses of Golgi tendon organs. J. Neurophysiol.30, 1482–1493 (1967)
Houk, J., Henneman, E.: Responses of Golgi tendon organs to active contractions of the soleus muscle of the cat. J. Neurophysiol.30, 466–481 (1967)
Hoyle, G.: The anatomy and innervation of locust skeletal muscle. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. (Biol.)143, 281–292 (1955)
Kendall, M.D.: The anatomy of the tarsi ofSchistocerca gregaria Forskal. Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat.109, 112–137 (1970)
Macmillan, D.L.: Arthropod apodeme tension receptors. In: Structure and function of proprioceptors in the invertebrates. Mill. P.J. (ed.), pp. 427–442. London: Chapman and Hall 1976
Macmillan, D.L., Dando, M.R.: Tension receptors on the apodemes of muscles in the walking legs of the crab,Cancer magister. Mar. Behav. Physiol.1, 185–208 (1972)
Pearson, K.G.: Central programming and reflex control of walking in the cockroach. J. Exp. Biol.56, 173–193 (1972)
Pringle, J.W.S.: Proprioception in insects. II. The action of the campaniform sensilla on the legs. J. Exp. Biol.15, 114–131 (1938)
Reinking, R.M., Stephens, J.A., Stuart, D.G.: The tendon organs of cat medial gastrocnemius: significance of motor unit type and size for the activation of Ib afferents. J. Physiol. (Lond.)250, 491–512 (1975)
Slifer, E.H., Finlayson, L.H.: Muscle receptor organs in grasshoppers and locusts (Orthoptera, Acrididae). Q.J. Microsc. Sci.97, 617–620 (1956)
Usherwood, P.N.R., Grundfest, H.: Peripheral inhibition in skeletal muscle of insects. J. Neurophysiol.28, 497–518 (1965)
Weevers, R. de G.: The physiology of the lepidopteran muscle receptor. III. The stretch reflex. J. Exp. Biol.45, 229–249 (1966)
Williamson, R., Burns, M.D.: Multiterminal receptors in the locust mesothoracic leg. J. Insect Physiol.24, 661–666 (1978)
Zawarzin, A.R.: Histologische Studien über Insekten. II. Das sensible Nervensystem derAeschnalarven. Z. Wiss. Zool.100, 245–286 (1912)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
We thank Drs D.M. Neil and W.J.P. Barnes for comments on the manuscript, and Mr D.S. Little and K. Ritchie for assistance with the diagrams.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Theophilidis, G., Burns, M.D. A muscle tension receptor in the locust leg. J. Comp. Physiol. 131, 247–254 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00610432
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00610432