Zoomorphologie

, Volume 90, Issue 1, pp 41–51 | Cite as

The tibial thread-hairs ofAcheta domesticus L. (Saltatoria, Gryllidae)

The dependence of stimulus transmission and mechanical properties on the anatomical characteristics of the socket apparatus
  • Karl Peter Gaffal
  • Joachim Thei\
Article
Received:

Summary

The ultrastructure of the thread-like hairs (sensilla) on the tibia of the front leg ofAcheta domesticus (Gryllidae) Saltatoria was examined by serial sectioning. The presence of a tubular body indicates that these sensilla are mechanosensitive; electrophysiological measurements also confirmed this. The opposing forces on the articulating apparatus of single hairs and the sensitivity of the single receptor cell were measured after deflection of the hair in different directions. The articulating apparatus is characterized by three cuticular elements: a joint membrane, suspension fibers, and a socket septum. These elements form the basis for a structural bilateral symmetry along whose plane of symmetry the direction line of both the minimum receptor sensitivity and the minimum opposing forces lie. The tubular body embedded in the tip of the socket septum is attached to the base of the hair shaft. The hair provides the leverage for displacing the tubular body and the socket septum limits the extent to which it may be laterally displaced.

Keywords

Developmental Biology Receptor Cell Serial Section Direction Line Bilateral Symmetry 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1978

Authors and Affiliations

  • Karl Peter Gaffal
    • 1
  • Joachim Thei\
    • 2
  1. 1.Institut für Botanik und Pharmazeutische Biologie der UniversitÄt Erlangen-NürnbergErlangenGermany
  2. 2.Zoologisches Institut der UniversitÄtRegensburgGermany

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