Summary
The postantennal organ in Onychiurus (group armatus) is a sensory organ comprising one sensory cell, several enveloping cells and cuticular structures.
The perikaryon of the sensory cell is located in the central nervous system and distally gives off a dendrite in which one inner and two outer segments are distinguishable. Two ciliary structures connect the outer dendritic segments with the inner segment. The outer segments divide repeatedly, basal to the cuticular structures, into small branches which end distally beneath the cuticular wall. The wall of the cuticular structures is very thin and is pierced by numerous funnel-shaped pores. The pores are filled with electron-dense material which forms a continuous sheath underneath the cuticle. This material encases the small dendritic branches and the processes of the enveloping cells which occupy the lumen of the cuticular structures. There are three types of enveloping cells: one inner, several outer and one basal. Their processes differ in the manner in which they envelop the various regions of the dendrite.
At the beginning of moulting outer dendritic branches are not found within the cuticular structures of the organ. They may be assumed to retract inwardly. However, in the later stages, when the cuticle is fully formed, the outer dendritic segments appear to divide. It is assumed that the small dendritic branches reach their targets before ecdysis. The electrondense material which clogs the intermoult cuticular pores is absent until the final stages of the moulting cycle.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Altner, H., Ernst, K.-D., Karuhize, G.: Untersuchungen am Postantennalorgan der Collembolen (Apterygota). I. Die Feinstruktur der postantennalen Sinnesborste von Sminthurus fuscus L. Z. Zellforsch. 111, 263–285 (1970).
Becker, E.: Zum Bau des Postantennalorgans der Collembolen. Z. wiss. Zool. 94, 327–399 (1910).
—: Zur Frage über den Bau des Postantennalorgans bei Collembolen. Zool. Ž. 12, 130–135 (1933).
Blest, A. D.: Some modifications of Holme's silver method for insect central nervous system. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 102, 413–417 (1961).
Boeckh, J.: Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an einzelnen Geruchsrezeptoren auf den Antennen des Totengräbers (Necrophorus, Coleoptera). Z. vergl. Physiol. 46, 212–248 (1962).
—: Reaktionsschwelle, Arbeitsbereich und Spezifität eines Geruchsrezeptors auf der Heuschreckenantenne. Z. vergl. Physiol. 55, 378–406 (1967).
Bullock, T. H., Horridge, A.: Structure and function in the nervous systems of invertebrates, vol. I. San Francisco and London: W. H. Freeman and Co. 1965.
Caveney, S.: Muscle attachment related to cuticle architecture in Apterygota. J. Cell Sci. 4, 541–559 (1969).
Chevalier, R. L.: The fine structure of campaniform sensilla on the halteres of Drosophila melanogaster. J. Morph. 128 (4), 443–464 (1969).
Denis, R.: Sous-classe des Aptérygotes. In: Traité de Zoologie, ed. P.-P. Grassé, vol. IX, p. 111–275. Paris: Masson 1949.
Ernst, K.-D.: Die Feinstruktur von Riechsensillen auf der Antenne des Aaskäfers Necrophorus (Coleoptera). Z. Zellforsch. 94, 72–102 (1969).
Fernald, H.: The relationships of Arthropods. Stud. biol. Lab.: Johns Hopkins Univ. 4, 431–513 (1890).
Fraser-Rowell, C. H.: A general method for silvering invertebrate central nervous system. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 104, 81–87 (1963).
Gisin, H.: Collembolenfauna Europas. Museum d'Histoire Nat. Genf (1960).
Gray, E. G.: The fine structure of the insect ear. Phil. Trans. B 243, 75–95 (1960).
Handschin, E.: Urinsekten. In: Die Tierwelt Deutschlands, Herausg. F. Dahl, 16 Te. Jena: G. Fischer 1929.
Haupt, J.: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Sinnesorgane von Symphylen (Myriapoda). I. Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung des Trichobothriums von Scutigerella immaculata New. Z. Zellforsch. 110, 588–599 (1970).
Kafka, W. A.: Molekulare Wechselwirkungen bei der Erregung einzelner Riechzellen. Z. vergl. Physiol. 70, 105–143 (1970).
Kinzelbach-Schmitt, B.: Zur Kenntnis der antennalen Chordotonalorgane der Thysanuren (Thysanura, Insecta). Z. Naturforsch. 23b, 289–291 (1968).
Laboulbène, A.: Recherches sur l'Anurida maritima. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, Ser. IV, 4, 705–720 (1864).
Lacher, V.: Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an einzelnen Rezeptoren für Geruch, Kohlendioxyd, Luftfeuchtigkeit und Temperatur auf den Antennen der Arbeitsbiene und Drohne. Z. vergl. Physiol. 48, 587–623 (1964).
Moulins, M.: Les sensilles de l'organe hypopharyngien de Blabera craniifer Burm. (Insecta, Dictyoptera). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 21, 474–513 (1968).
Nicklaus, R., Lundquist, P.-G., Wersäll, J.: Elektronenmikroskopie am sensorischen Apparat der Fadenhaare der Cerci der Schabe Periplaneta americana. Z. vergl. Physiol. 56, 412–413 (1967).
—: Die Übertragung des Reizes auf den distalen Fortsatz der Sinneszelle bei den Fadenhaaren von P. americana. 4. Verh. dtsch. zool. Ges. 31, 578–584 (1968).
Nicolet, H.: Recherches pour servir à l'histoire des Podurelles. Nouv. Mém. Soc. helv. Sci. Nat. 6, 1–88 (1841).
Noble-Nesbitt, J.: The cuticle and associated structures of Podura aquatica, at moult. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 104, 369–391 (1963).
Paclt, J.: Biologie der primär flügellosen Insekten. Jena: G. Fischer 1956.
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of the lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–211 (1963).
Richter, S.: Die Feinstruktur des für die Mechanorezeptoren wichtigen Bereichs der Stellungshaare auf dem Prosternum von Calliphora erythrocephala MG. (Diptera). Z. Morph. Ökol. Tiere 54, 202–218 (1964).
Romeis, B.: Mikroskopische Technik, 16. Auflage. München-Wien: R. Oldenbourg 1968.
Schäffer, C.: Die Collembola der Umgebung von Hamburg und benachbarter Gebiete. Mitt. naturk. Mus. Hamburg 13, 149–216 (1896).
Schmidt, K.: Die campaniformen Sensillen im Pedicellus der Florfliegen (Chrysopa, Planipennia). Z. Zellforsch. 96, 478–489 (1969a).
—: Der Feinbau der stiftführenden Sinnesorgane im Pedicellus der Florfliege, Chrysopa leach (Chrysopidae, Planipennia). Z. Zellforsch. 99, 357–388 (1969b).
Schneider, D., Lacher, V., Kaissling, K. E.: Die Reaktionsweise bei Antherea pernyi (Lepidoptera, Saturnidae). Z. vergl. Physiol. 48, 632–662 (1964).
—, Steinbrecht, R. A.: Checklist of olfactory sensilla. Symp. Zool. Soc. Lond. No 23, 279–297 (1968).
Schoonhoven, L. M., Dethier, V. G.: Sensory aspects of host-plant discrimination by Lepidopterous Larvae. Arch. néerl. Zool. 16, 497–530 (1966).
Slifer, E. H.: Sense organs on the antennal flagella of earwigs (Dermaptera) with special reference to those of Forficula auricularia. J. Morph. 122, 63–80 (1967).
—, Prestage, J. J., Beams, H. W.: The chemoreceptors and other sense organs on the flagellum of the grasshopper (Orthoptera, Acrididae). J. Morph. 105, 145–191 (1959).
—, Sekhon, S. S.: The fine structure of the sense organs on the antennal flagellum of the honey bee, Apis mellifera (L.). J. Morph. 109, 351–381 (1961).
—: Sense organs on the antennal flagellum of the small milkweed bug, Lygaeus kalmi Stål. (Hemiptera, Lygaeidae). J. Morph. 112, 165–193 (1963).
—: Fine structure of thin-walled sensory pegs on the antennae of a beetle Popilius disjunctus (Coleoptera, Passalidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 57, 541–548 (1964a).
—: The fine structure of sense organs on the antennal flagellum of the flesh fly Sarcophaga argyrostema R. D. (Diptera, Sarcophagidae). J. Morph. 114, 185–208 (1964b).
—: The dendrites of the thin-walled olfactory pegs of the grasshopper (Orthoptera, Acrididae). J. Morph. 114, 393–410 (1964c).
—: Some evidence for the continuity of ciliary fibrils and microtubules in the insect sensory dendrite. J. Cell Sci. 4, 527–540 (1969).
Steiger, U.: Über den Feinbau des Neuropils im Corpus pedunculatum der Waldameise. Z. Zellforsch. 81, 511–536 (1967).
Steinbrecht, R. A.: Receptor mechanisms: Comparative morphology of olfactory receptors. Olfaction and taste III, ed. C. Pfaffman. New York: The Rockefeller Univ. Press 1969.
Stuart, A. M., Satir, P.: Morphological and functional aspects of an insect epidermal gland. J. Cell Biol. 36, 527–549 (1968).
Thurm, U.: Mechanoreceptors in the cuticle of the honey bee: Fine structure and stimulus mechanisms. Science 145, 1063–1065 (1964).
—: An insect mechanoreceptor. Part I: Fine structure and adequate stimulus. Cold Spr. Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 30, 75–82 (1965).
Tullberg, T.: Sveriges Podurider. Svenska Vet.-Akad. Handl. 10 (10), 1–70 (1872).
Walcott, C., Salpeter, M.: The effect of moulting upon vibration receptor of the spider (Achaeranea tepidariorum). J. Morph. 119, 383–392 (1966).
Waldow, U.: Elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen an Feucht-, Trocken- und Kälterezeptoren auf der Antenne der Wanderheuschrecke, Locusta. Z. vergl. Physiol. 69, 249–283 (1970).
Willem, V.: Les yeux et les organes postantennaires des Collemboles. Ann. Soc. entomol. Belg. 41, 225–226 (1897).
—: Recherches sur les Collemboles et les Thysanures. Mém. cour. mém. sav. étr. Acad. r. Belg. 58, 1–144 (1900).
Wolfe, L. S.: The deposition of the third instar larval cuticle of Calliphora erythrocephala. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 95, 49–66 (1954).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by a grant from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Karuhize, G.R. The structure of the postantennal organ in Onychiurus sp. (Insecta: Collembola) and its connection to the central nervous system. Z. Zellforsch. 118, 263–282 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341570
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341570