The functional connectivity between the locust leg pattern generators and the subesophageal ganglion higher motor center

Daniel Knebel, Jan Rillich, Leonard Nadler, Hans Joachim Pflüger, Amir Ayali*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Higher motor centers and central pattern generators (CPGs) interact in the control of coordinated leg movements during locomotion throughout the animal kingdom. The subesophageal ganglion (SEG) is one of the insect head ganglia reported to have a role in the control of walking behavior. Here we explored the functional relations between the SEG and the thoracic leg CPGs in the desert locust. Backfill staining revealed about 300 SEG descending interneurons (DINs) altogether. Recordings from an in-vitro isolated chain of thoracic ganglia, with intact or severed connections to the SEG, during pharmacological activation were used to determine how the SEG affects the centrally generated motor output to the legs. The SEG was demonstrated to both activate leg CPGs and synchronize their bilateral activity. The role of the SEG in insect locomotion is discussed in light of these findings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-82
Number of pages6
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume692
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Jan 2019

Funding

FundersFunder number
German Research Council
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftFOR 1363, RI 2728/2-1, PF128/32-1, Pf128/30-1

    Keywords

    • Central pattern generator (CPG)
    • Insect
    • Intersegmental coordination
    • Locomotion
    • Locust
    • Subesophageal ganglion (SEG)

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