Abstract

We have characterized, by intracellular recording and staining, a unique type of centrifugal neuron in the brain olfactory center of two heliothine moth species; one in Heliothis virescens and one in Helicoverpa armigera. This unilateral neuron, which is not previously described in any moth, has fine processes in the dorsomedial region of the protocerebrum and extensive neuronal branches with blebby terminals in all glomeruli of the antennal lobe. Its soma is located dorsally of the central body close to the brain midline. Mass-fills of antennal-lobe connections with protocerebral regions showed that the centrifugal neuron is, in each brain hemisphere, one within a small group of neurons having their somata clustered. In both species the neuron was excited during application of non-odorant airborne signals, including transient sound pulses of broad bandwidth and air velocity changes. Additional responses to odors were recorded from the neuron in Heliothis virescens. The putative biological significance of the centrifugal antennal-lobe neuron is discussed with regard to its morphological and physiological properties. In particular, a possible role in multisensory processes underlying the moth's ability to adapt its odor-guided behaviors according to the sound of an echo-locating bat is considered.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Zhao XC, Pfuhl G, Surlykke A, Tro J, Berg BG

Institution

Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Unit, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.

Source

The Journal of comparative neurology 521:1 2013 Jan 1 pg 152-68

MeSH

Acoustic Stimulation
Action Potentials
Animals
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Microscopy, Confocal
Moths
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Odors
Olfactory Pathways
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Physical Stimulation
Sensory Receptor Cells

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22684993