Summary
The topographical organization of the prothoracic ganglion of the cricket, Gryllus campestris L., is described from horizontal, transverse, and sagittal sections of preparations specially treated to elucidate longitudinal tracts, commissures, and areas of neuropil. These structures were compared to those reported from other insect thoracic ganglia, resulting in still further evidence for a common basic morphological pattern among insect central nervous systems.
Six types of auditory interneurons, all existing as mirrorimage pairs, were identified through intracellular application of the dye Lucifer yellow, and then related to several morphological patterns. Two intrasegmental neurons (ON1, ON2) are similar in location of cell bodies and course of neurites and axons; three intersegmental neurons (AN1, AN2, TN1) are likewise similar to one another. The axons of the two intrasegmental neurons cross the midline of the ganglion in the newly described ‘omega commissure’. Axons of the other four types all course within the median portion of the ventral intermediate tract and project intersegmentally.
All six neuron types arborize within the ventral portion of the ring tract, the same neuropilar region in which auditory sensory neurons terminate. The ring tract is therefore considered the most important region for auditory information processing within the cricket prothoracic ganglion.
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Wohlers, D.W., Huber, F. Topographical organization of the auditory pathway within the prothoracic ganglion of the cricket Gryllus campestris L.. Cell Tissue Res. 239, 555–565 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219234
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219234