The Anatomy of the Tarsi of Schistocerca gregaria Forskål

  • Marion D. Kendall
Article
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Summary

The tarsus of S. gregaria is divided into three units (here called segments) and an arolium set between a pair of claws. The first segment bears three pairs of pulvilli in the fore and middle legs, and one pair and two single pulvilli in the hind legs. Segment two bears a pair of pulvilli, segment three one long pulvillus and the arolium a similar pad on the undersurface. The outer layers of the arolium pad differ from those of the pulvilli in possibly lacking an epicuticle and in having a layer of cuticle which, unlike the corresponding layer in the pulvilli, does not stain with protein stains. The claws and dorsal surfaces bear trichoid sensilla, basiconic sensilla and campaniform sensilla. Smaller basiconic sensilla and canal sensilla occur on the proximal part of the pulvilli, and basiconic sensilla on the arolium undersurface. Internally the cuticle is modified in the arolium and pulvilli so that rods of probably chitin and resilin are formed. This would impart flexibility to the undersurfaces whilst retaining some degree of rigidity which might prevent damage to the small and delicate sense organs on the pulvilli. The tip of the arolium is specialised for adhesion, and there are two large neurones internally which could conceivably monitor attachment or detachment of the tip. There are chordotonal organs in segment three, and several other large neurones throughout the tarsus, some of which are associated with the slings of tissue holding the apodeme in a ventral position. Gland cells occurring in the dorsal epidermis of the adult mature male are also briefly described.

Key-Words

Tarsi Locusts Schistocerca gregaria Forskål Structure 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1970

Authors and Affiliations

  • Marion D. Kendall
    • 1
  1. 1.Anti-Locust Research CentreLondon

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