Summary
The central origin of efferent neurosecretory fibers (ENSF) supplying the median eyes of the scorpion, Androctonus australis, with circadian information was investigated at the light- and electron-microscopic levels by the use of several tracer techniques. The results obtained convincingly show that the central neurons stained via the optic nerve are the source of the ENSF in the retina. Almost all of these neurons give rise to two different axon collaterals, one of which projects into the ipsilateral, the other into the contralateral median-eye nerve. Three protocerebral contact zones of the ENSF system are described, and their functional role within the circadian clock system is discussed.
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This investigation represents a portion of the Ph. D. thesis of one of the authors (S.H.) and was supported by grants to G.F. from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 45).
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Heinrichs, S., Fleissner, G. Neuronal components of the circadian clock in the scorpion, Androctonus australis: Central origin of the efferent neurosecretory elements projecting to the median eyes. Cell Tissue Res. 250, 277–285 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219072
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219072