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Shin S, Baker AJ, Enk J, McKenna DD, Foquet B, Vandergast AG, Weissman DB, Song H. Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probes resolve relationships over broad phylogenetic scales. Sci Rep 2024; 14:21377. [PMID: 39271747 PMCID: PMC11399444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-72622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Phylogenomic data are revolutionizing the field of insect phylogenetics. One of the most tenable and cost-effective methods of generating phylogenomic data is target enrichment, which has resulted in novel phylogenetic hypotheses and revealed new insights into insect evolution. Orthoptera is the most diverse insect order within polyneoptera and includes many evolutionarily and ecologically interesting species. Still, the order as a whole has lagged behind other major insect orders in terms of transitioning to phylogenomics. In this study, we developed an Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probe set from 80 transcriptomes across Orthoptera. The probe set targets 1828 loci from genes exhibiting a wide range of evolutionary rates. The utility of this new probe set was validated by generating phylogenomic data from 36 orthopteran species that had not previously been subjected to phylogenomic studies. The OR-TE probe set captured an average of 1037 loci across the tested taxa, resolving relationships across broad phylogenetic scales. Our detailed documentation of the probe design and bioinformatics process is intended to facilitate the widespread adoption of this tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunggwan Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Austin J Baker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
- Entomology Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacob Enk
- Daicel Arbor Biosciences, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Duane D McKenna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Bert Foquet
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Amy G Vandergast
- San Diego Field Station, Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - David B Weissman
- Department of Entomology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hojun Song
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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McKelvey EGZ, Gyles JP, Michie K, Barquín Pancorbo V, Sober L, Kruszewski LE, Chan A, Fabre CCG. Drosophila females receive male substrate-borne signals through specific leg neurons during courtship. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3894-3904.e5. [PMID: 34174209 PMCID: PMC8445324 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Substrate-borne vibratory signals are thought to be one of the most ancient and taxonomically widespread communication signals among animal species, including Drosophila flies.1-9 During courtship, the male Drosophila abdomen tremulates (as defined in Busnel et al.10) to generate vibrations in the courting substrate.8,9 These vibrations coincide with nearby females becoming immobile, a behavior that facilitates mounting and copulation.8,11-13 It was unknown how the Drosophila female detects these substrate-borne vibratory signals. Here, we confirm that the immobility response of the female to the tremulations is not dependent on any air-borne cue. We show that substrate-borne communication is used by wild Drosophila and that the vibrations propagate through those natural substrates (e.g., fruits) where flies feed and court. We examine transmission of the signals through a variety of substrates and describe how each of these substrates modifies the vibratory signal during propagation and affects the female response. Moreover, we identify the main sensory structures and neurons that receive the vibrations in the female legs, as well as the mechanically gated ion channels Nanchung and Piezo (but not Trpγ) that mediate sensitivity to the vibrations. Together, our results show that Drosophila flies, like many other arthropods, use substrate-borne communication as a natural means of communication, strengthening the idea that this mode of signal transfer is heavily used and reliable in the wild.3,4,7 Our findings also reveal the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the vibration-sensing modality necessary for this communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor G Z McKelvey
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - James P Gyles
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Kyle Michie
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | | | - Louisa Sober
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Laura E Kruszewski
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Alice Chan
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Caroline C G Fabre
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
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3
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Vibrational signalling, an underappreciated mode in cricket communication. Naturwissenschaften 2021; 108:41. [PMID: 34480654 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Signalling via substrate vibration represents one of the most ubiquitous and ancient modes of insect communication. In crickets (Grylloidea) and other taxa of tympanate Ensifera, production and detection of acoustic and vibrational signals are closely linked functionally and evolutionarily. Male stridulation produces both acoustic and vibrational signal components, the joint perception of which improves song recognition and female orientation towards the signaller. In addition to stridulation, vibrational signalling mainly through body tremulation and/or drumming with body parts on the substrate has long been known to be part of crickets' close-range communication, including courtship, mate guarding and aggression. Such signalling is typically exhibited by males, independently or in conjunction with stridulation, and occurs literally in all cricket lineages and species studied. It is further also part of the aggressive behaviour of females, and in a few cricket groups, females respond vibrationally to acoustic and/or vibrational signals from males. The characteristics and function of these signals have remained largely unexplored despite their prevalence. Moreover, the communication potential and also ubiquity of cricket vibrational signals are underappreciated, limiting our understanding of the function and evolution of the cricket signalling systems. By providing a concise review of the existing knowledge of cricket perception of vibrations and vibrational signalling behaviour, we critically comment on these views, discuss the communication value of the emitted signals and give some methodological advice respecting their registration and control. The review aims to increase awareness, understanding and research interest in this ancient and widespread signalling mode in cricket communication.
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Strauß J, Moritz L, Rühr PT. The Subgenual Organ Complex in Stick Insects: Functional Morphology and Mechanical Coupling of a Complex Mechanosensory Organ. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.632493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leg chordotonal organs in insects show different adaptations to detect body movements, substrate vibrations, or airborne sound. In the proximal tibia of stick insects occur two chordotonal organs: the subgenual organ, a highly sensitive vibration receptor organ, and the distal organ, of which the function is yet unknown. The distal organ consists of a linear set of scolopidial sensilla extending in the tibia in distal direction toward the tarsus. Similar organs occur in the elaborate hearing organs in crickets and bushcrickets, where the auditory sensilla are closely associated with thin tympanal membranes and auditory trachea in the leg. Here, we document the position and attachment points for the distal organ in three species of stick insects without auditory adaptations (Ramulus artemis,Sipyloidea sipylus, andCarausius morosus). The distal organ is located in the dorsal hemolymph channel and attaches at the proximal end to the dorsal and posterior leg cuticle by tissue strands. The central part of the distal organ is placed closer to the dorsal cuticle and is suspended by fine tissue strands. The anterior part is clearly separated from the tracheae, while the distal part of the organ is placed over the anterior trachea. The distal organ is not connected to a tendon or muscle, which would indicate a proprioceptive function. The sensilla in the distal organ have dendrites oriented in distal direction in the leg. This morphology does not reveal obvious auditory adaptations as in tympanal organs, while the position in the hemolymph channel and the direction of dendrites indicate responses to forces in longitudinal direction of the leg, likely vibrational stimuli transmitted in the leg’s hemolymph. The evolutionary convergence of complex chordotonal organs with linear sensilla sets between tympanal hearing organs and atympanate organs in stick insects is emphasized by the different functional morphologies and sensory specializations.
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Song H, Béthoux O, Shin S, Donath A, Letsch H, Liu S, McKenna DD, Meng G, Misof B, Podsiadlowski L, Zhou X, Wipfler B, Simon S. Phylogenomic analysis sheds light on the evolutionary pathways towards acoustic communication in Orthoptera. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4939. [PMID: 33009390 PMCID: PMC7532154 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18739-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication is enabled by the evolution of specialised hearing and sound producing organs. In this study, we performed a large-scale macroevolutionary study to understand how both hearing and sound production evolved and affected diversification in the insect order Orthoptera, which includes many familiar singing insects, such as crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers. Using phylogenomic data, we firmly establish phylogenetic relationships among the major lineages and divergence time estimates within Orthoptera, as well as the lineage-specific and dynamic patterns of evolution for hearing and sound producing organs. In the suborder Ensifera, we infer that forewing-based stridulation and tibial tympanal ears co-evolved, but in the suborder Caelifera, abdominal tympanal ears first evolved in a non-sexual context, and later co-opted for sexual signalling when sound producing organs evolved. However, we find little evidence that the evolution of hearing and sound producing organs increased diversification rates in those lineages with known acoustic communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hojun Song
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2475, USA.
| | - Olivier Béthoux
- CR2P (Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie - Paris), MNHN - CNRS - Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Seunggwan Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Alexander Donath
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research (ZMB), Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Harald Letsch
- Department für Botanik und Biodiversitätsforschung, Universität Wien, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shanlin Liu
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, 518083, Guangdong, China
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Duane D McKenna
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Biodiversity Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA
| | - Guanliang Meng
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, 518083, Guangdong, China
| | - Bernhard Misof
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research (ZMB), Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lars Podsiadlowski
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research (ZMB), Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
| | - Benjamin Wipfler
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Center of Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabrina Simon
- Biosystematics Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 PB, Wageningen, Netherlands.
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Strauß J. Early postembryogenic development of the subgenual organ complex in the stick insect Sipyloidea sipylus. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2020; 56:100933. [PMID: 32259775 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.100933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Stick insects have elaborate mechanosensory organs in their subgenual organ complex in the proximal tibia, particularly the distal organ with scolopidial sensilla in linear arrangement. For early postembryonic developmental stages of Sipyloidea sipylus (Phasmatodea: Necrosciinae), the neuroanatomy of the scolopidial organs in the subgenual organ complex and the campaniform sensilla is documented by retrograde axonal tracing, and compared to the adult neuroanatomy. Already after hatching of the first larval instars are the sensory structures of subgenual organ and distal organ as well as tibial campaniform sensilla differentiated. In the distal organ, the full set of sensilla is shown in all larval stages examined. This finding indicates that the sensory organs differentiate during embryogenesis, and are already functional by the time of hatching. The constancy of distal organ sensilla over postembryonic stages allows investigation of the representative number of sensilla in adult animals as well as in larval instars. Some anatomical changes occur by postembryogenic length increase of the distal organ, and grouping of the anterior subgenual sensilla. The embryonic development of scolopidial sensilla is similar for auditory sensilla in hemimetabolous Orthoptera (locusts, bushcrickets, crickets) where tympanal membranes develop during postembryogenic stages, conferring a successive gain of sensitivity with larval moults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany; Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Gießen, Germany.
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7
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Strauß J. Neuronal Innervation of the Subgenual Organ Complex and the Tibial Campaniform Sensilla in the Stick Insect Midleg. INSECTS 2020; 11:E40. [PMID: 31947968 PMCID: PMC7022571 DOI: 10.3390/insects11010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Mechanosensory organs in legs play are crucial receptors in the feedback control of walking and in the detection of substrate-borne vibrations. Stick insects serve as a model for the physiological role of chordotonal organs and campaniform sensilla. This study documents, by axonal tracing, the neural innervation of the complex chordotonal organs and groups of campaniform sensilla in the proximal tibia of the midleg in Sipyloidea sipylus. In total, 6 nerve branches innervate the different sensory structures, and the innervation pattern associates different sensilla types by their position. Sensilla on the anterior and posterior tibia are innervated from distinct nerve branches. In addition, the variation in innervation is studied for five anatomical branching points. The most common variation is the innervation of the subgenual organ sensilla by two nerve branches rather than a single one. The fusion of commonly separated nerve branches also occurred. However, a common innervation pattern can be demonstrated, which is found in >75% of preparations. The variation did not include crossings of nerves between the anterior and posterior side of the leg. The study corrects the innervation of the posterior subgenual organ reported previously. The sensory neuroanatomy and innervation pattern can guide further physiological studies of mechanoreceptor organs and allow evolutionary comparisons to related insect groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26 (IFZ), 35392 Gießen, Germany
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8
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Stritih-Peljhan N, Rühr PT, Buh B, Strauß J. Low-frequency vibration transmission and mechanosensory detection in the legs of cave crickets. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 233:89-96. [PMID: 30978469 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Vibrational communication is common in insects and often includes signals with prominent frequency components below 200 Hz, but the sensory adaptations for their detection are scarcely investigated. We performed an integrative study of the subgenual organ complex in Troglophilus cave crickets (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae), a mechanosensory system of three scolopidial organs in the proximal tibia, for mechanical, anatomical and physiological aspects revealing matches to low frequency vibration detection. Microcomputed tomography shows that a part of the subgenual organ sensilla and especially the accessory organ posteriorly in this complex are placed closely underneath the cuticle, a position suited to evoke responses to low-frequency vibration via changes in the cuticular strain. Laser-Doppler vibrometry shows that in a narrow low-frequency range the posterior tibial surface reacts stronger to low frequency sinusoidal vibrations than the anterior tibial surface. This finding suggests that the posterior location of sensilla in tight connection to the cuticle, especially in the accessory organ, is adapted to improve detectability of low-frequency vibration signals. By electrophysiological recordings we identify a scolopidial receptor type tuned to 50-300 Hz vibrations, which projects into the central mechanosensory region specialised for processing low-frequency vibratory inputs, and most likely originates from the accessory organ or the posterior subgenual organ. Our findings contribute to understanding of the mechanical and neuronal basis of low-frequency vibration detection in insect legs and their highly differentiated sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Stritih-Peljhan
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Peter T Rühr
- Institute of Zoology, Biocenter Cologne, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research, Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Barbara Buh
- National Institute of Biology, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Johannes Strauß
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Institute for Animal Physiology, AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26 (IFZ), 35392 Gießen, Germany.
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Stritih Peljhan N, Strauß J. The mechanical leg response to vibration stimuli in cave crickets and implications for vibrosensory organ functions. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2018; 204:687-702. [PMID: 29948155 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-018-1271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We investigate the influence of leg mechanics on the vibration input and function of vibrosensitive organs in the legs of the cave cricket Troglophilus neglectus, using laser Doppler vibrometry. By varying leg attachment, leg flexion, and body posture, we identify important influences on the amplitude and frequency parameters of transmitted vibrations. The legs respond best to relatively high-frequency vibration (200-2000 Hz), but in strong dependence on the leg position; the response peak shifts progressively over 500-1400 Hz towards higher frequencies following leg flexion. The response is amplified most strongly on the tibia, where specialised vibrosensory organs occur, and the response amplitude increases with the increasing frequency. Leg responses peaking at 800 and 1400 Hz closely resemble the tuning of the intermediate organ receptors in the proximal tibia of T. neglectus, which may be highly sensitive to positional change. The legs of free-standing animals with the abdomen touching the vibrating substrate show a secondary response peak below 150 Hz, induced by body vibration. Such responses may significantly increase the sensitivity of low-frequency receptors in the tibial accessory organ and the femoral chordotonal organ. The cave cricket legs appear suitable especially for detection of high-frequency vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Stritih Peljhan
- Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Johannes Strauß
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, 35392 Gießen, Germany
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10
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On the spot: utilization of directional cues in vibrational communication of a stink bug. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5418. [PMID: 29615688 PMCID: PMC5882921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although vibrational signalling is among the most ancient and common forms of communication, many fundamental aspects of this communication channel are still poorly understood. Here, we studied mechanisms underlying orientation towards the source of vibrational signals in the stink bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), where female vibrational song enables male to locate her on the bean plant. At the junction between the main stem and the leaf stalks, male placed his legs on different sides of the branching and orientation at the branching point was not random. Analyses of signal transmission revealed that only a time delay between the arrival of vibrational wave to receptors located in the legs stretched across the branching was a reliable directional cue underlying orientation, since, unexpectedly, the signal amplitude at the branching point was often higher on the stalk away from the female. The plant and the position of the vibrational source on the plant were the most important factors influencing the unpredictability of the amplitude cue. Determined time delays as short as 0.5 ms resulted in marked changes in interneuron activity and the decision model suggests that the behavioural threshold is in the range between 0.3 and 0.5 ms.
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Strauß J, Lomas K, Field LH. The complex tibial organ of the New Zealand ground weta: sensory adaptations for vibrational signal detection. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2031. [PMID: 28515484 PMCID: PMC5435688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In orthopteran insects, a complex tibial organ has evolved to detect substrate vibrations and/or airborne sound. Species of New Zealand weta (Anostostomatidae) with tympanal ears on the foreleg tibia use this organ to communicate by sound, while in atympanate species (which communicate by substrate drumming) the organ is unstudied. We investigated the complex tibial organ of the atympanate ground weta, Hemiandrus pallitarsis, for vibration detection adaptations. This system contains four sensory components (subgenual organ, intermediate organ, crista acustica homolog, accessory organ) in all legs, together with up to 90 scolopidial sensilla. Microcomputed tomography shows that the subgenual organ spans the hemolymph channel, with attachments suggesting that hemolymph oscillations displace the organ in a hinged-plate fashion. Subgenual sensilla are likely excited by substrate oscillations transmitted within the leg. Instead of the usual suspension within the middle of the tibial cavity, we show that the intermediate organ and crista acustica homolog comprise a cellular mass broadly attached to the anterior tibial wall. They likely detect cuticular vibrations, and not airborne sound. This atympanate complex tibial organ shows elaborate structural changes suggesting detection of vibrational stimuli by parallel input pathways, thus correlating well with the burrowing lifestyle and communication by substrate-transmitted vibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Institute for Animal Physiology, AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Kathryn Lomas
- CSIRO Manufacturing Business Unit, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Laurence H Field
- University of Canterbury, School of Biological Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand
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12
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Strauß J. The scolopidial accessory organ in the Jerusalem cricket (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2017; 46:171-177. [PMID: 27998741 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Multiple mechanosensory organs form the subgenual organ complex in orthopteroid insects, located in the proximal tibia. In several Ensifera (Orthoptera), a small chordotonal organ, the so-called accessory organ, is the most posterior part of this sensory complex. In order to document the presence of this accessory organ among the Ensifera, the chordotonal sensilla and their innervation in the posterior tibia of two species of Jerusalem crickets (Stenopelmatidae: Stenopelmatus) is described. The sensory structures were stained by axonal tracing. Scolopidial sensilla occur in the posterior subgenual organ and the accessory organ in all leg pairs. The accessory organ contains 10-17 scolopidial sensilla. Both groups of sensilla are commonly spatially separated. However, in few cases neuronal fibres occurred between both organs. The two sensillum groups are considered as separate organs by the general spatial separation and innervation by different nerve branches. A functional role for mechanoreception is considered: since the accessory organ is located closely under the cuticle, sensilla may be suited to detect vibrations transferred over the leg's surface. This study extends the known taxa with an accessory organ, which occurs in several taxa of Ensifera. Comparative neuroanatomy thus suggests that the accessory organ may be conserved at least in Tettigoniidea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Institute for Animal Physiology, AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, IFZ, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Gießen, Germany.
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13
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Strauß J, Lakes-Harlan R. Vibrational sensitivity of the subgenual organ complex in female Sipyloidea sipylus stick insects in different experimental paradigms of stimulus direction, leg attachment, and ablation of a connective tibial sense organ. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2016; 203:100-108. [PMID: 27614184 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We document the sensitivity to sinusoidal vibrations for chordotonal organs in the stick insect tibia (Sipyloidea sipylus). In the tibia, the scolopidial subgenual organ (~40 scolopidial sensilla), distal organ (~20 scolopidial sensilla), and distal tibial chordotonal organ (~7 scolopidial sensilla) are present. We study the sensitivity of tibial sensory organs in all leg pairs to vibration stimuli as sensory thresholds by recording summed action potentials from Nervus cruris in the femur. The tibia was stimulated with a minishaker delivering vibrational stimuli. Because different experimental procedures may affect the vibration sensitivity, we here analysed possible effects of different experimental conditions: (1) the stimulus direction delivered in either horizontal or vertical direction to the leg; (2) recording responses only from the subgenual organ complex after ablation of the distal tibial chordotonal organ, and (3) the attachment of the leg to the minishaker by plastilin, beeswax-colophony, or freely standing legs. The tibial scolopidial organs give summed responses to vibration stimuli with highest sensitivity between 500 and 1000Hz for all leg pairs. In the different experimental series, we find that (1) thresholds were influenced by stimulation direction with lower thresholds in response to vertical vibrations, (2) ablating the distal tibial chordotonal organ by cutting the distal-most tibia did not change the summed sensory thresholds significantly, and (3) the attachment material between legs and the minishaker (plastilin or beeswax-colophony mixture) did not significant influence the sensory thresholds against free-standing tarsi. The distal tibial chordotonal organ is a connective chordotonal organ attached to a tendon and is likely a proprioceptive organ. These results emphasise that vibrational thresholds are mainly direction-sensitive. Thus, the direction of stimulus delivery during electrophysiological recordings is relevant for comparisons of vibratory sensory thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Lakes-Harlan
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany
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14
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Römer H, Schmidt AKD. Directional hearing in insects with internally coupled ears. BIOLOGICAL CYBERNETICS 2016; 110:247-254. [PMID: 26696000 DOI: 10.1007/s00422-015-0672-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/05/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Compared to all other hearing animals, insects are the smallest ones, both in absolute terms and in relation to the wavelength of most biologically relevant sounds. The ears of insects can be located at almost any possible body part, such as wings, legs, mouthparts, thorax or abdomen. The interaural distances are generally so small that cues for directional hearing such as interaural time and intensity differences (IITs and IIDs) are also incredibly small, so that the small body size should be a strong constraint for directional hearing. Yet, when tested in behavioral essays for the precision of sound source localization, some species demonstrate hyperacuity in directional hearing and can track a sound source deviating from the midline by only [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]. They can do so by using internally coupled ears, where sound pressure can act on both sides of a tympanic membrane. Here we describe their varying anatomy and mode of operation for some insect groups, with a special focus on crickets, exhibiting probably one of the most sophisticated of all internally coupled ears in the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Römer
- Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 2, Graz, Austria.
| | - Arne K D Schmidt
- Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 2, Graz, Austria
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15
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Strauß J, Riesterer AS, Lakes-Harlan R. How many mechanosensory organs in the bushcricket leg? Neuroanatomy of the scolopidial accessory organ in Tettigoniidae (Insecta: Orthoptera). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2016; 45:31-41. [PMID: 26627978 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The subgenual organ and associated scolopidial organs are well studied in Orthoptera and related taxa. In some insects, a small accessory organ or Nebenorgan is described posterior to the subgenual organ. In Tettigoniidae (Ensifera), the accessory organ has only been noted in one species though tibial sensory organs are well studied for neuroanatomy and physiology. Here, we use axonal tracing to analyse the posterior subgenual organ innervated by the main motor nerve. Investigating seven species from different groups of Tettigoniidae, we describe a small group of scolopidial sensilla (5-9 sensory neurons) which has features characteristic of the accessory organ: posterior tibial position, innervation by the main leg nerve rather than by the tympanal nerve, orientation of dendrites in proximal or ventro-proximal direction in the leg, and commonly association with a single campaniform sensillum. The neuroanatomy is highly similar between leg pairs. We show differences in the innervation in two species of the genus Poecilimon as compared to the other species. In Poecilimon, the sensilla of the accessory organ are innervated by one nerve branch together with the subgenual organ. The results suggest that the accessory organ is part of the sensory bauplan in the leg of Tettigoniidae and probably Ensifera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany.
| | - Anja S Riesterer
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Lakes-Harlan
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology, Institute for Animal Physiology, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany
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Strauß J, Stritih N. The accessory organ, a scolopidial sensory organ, in the cave cricketTroglophilus neglectus(Orthoptera: Ensifera: Rhaphidophoridae). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Strauß
- AG Integrative Sensory Physiology; Institute for Animal Physiology; Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen; Gießen, IFZ - Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26 35392 Germany
| | - Nataša Stritih
- National Institute of Biology; Department of Entomology; Večna pot 111 SI-1000 Ljubljana Slovenia
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Selective forces on origin, adaptation and reduction of tympanal ears in insects. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2014; 201:155-69. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-014-0962-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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