Fine structure of antennal sensilla of the female sphinx moth, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). I. Trichoid and basiconic sensilla

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
VDC Shields ◽  
J G Hildebrand

Olfaction is the principal sensory modality through which insects locate their food sources, mates, and oviposition sites. Insects offer certain advantages as experimental models for the study of mechanisms of olfaction, and a thorough knowledge of the antennal olfactory sensory cells is essential for such studies. While the sphinx moth, Manduca sexta, has proved to be an especially favorable experimental model in studies of pheromone processing in males, little is known about the female olfactory system, including the antennal olfactory sensilla. In this and another paper in this series, we present the first thorough investigation of the structure, innervation, number, and distribution of sensilla on the antennal flagellum of female M. sexta. The flagellum of the female moth bears eight morphological types of sensilla: two trichoid, two basiconic, one auriculate, two coeloconic, and one styliform complex. In this paper, we describe the two types of trichoid and two types of basiconic sensilla. The first type of trichoid sensillum, a long hairlike sensillum averaging 34 µm in length, is innervated by two bipolar sensory cells, and the second type, a shorter hairlike sensillum averaging 26 µm in length, is innervated by either one or three bipolar sensory cells. The first type of basiconic sensillum is a long peg, averaging 22 µm in length, and the second is a shorter peg, averaging 15 µm in length. Both types of basiconic sensilla are innervated by three bipolar sensory cells. These trichoid and basiconic sensilla have structural features characteristic of insect olfactory sensilla.

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
VDC Shields ◽  
J G Hildebrand

The antennal flagellum of the female sphinx moth, Manduca sexta, bears eight types of sensilla: two trichoid, two basiconic, one auriculate, two coeloconic, and one styliform complex. We previously described the fine structure of the trichoid and basiconic sensilla (Shields and Hildebrand 1999). In this paper, we describe one type of auriculate, two types of coeloconic, and one type of styliform complex sensilla. The auriculate (ear- or spoon-shaped) sensillum is a small peg that averages 4 µm in length, is innervated by two bipolar sensory cells, and has structural features characteristic of an insect olfactory sensillum. Each of the two types of coeloconic sensilla is a small peg that averages 2 µm in length and is recessed in a cuticular pit. One type of coeloconic sensillum is innervated by five bipolar sensory cells and has structural features characteristic of an insect olfactory sensillum or olfactory-thermosensillum, while the other is innervated by three bipolar sensory cells and has structural features characteristic of an insect thermo-hygrosensillum. The styliform complex sensillum is a large peg that averages 38-40 µm in length and is formed by several contiguous sensilla, the number of which depends on the location of the peg on the flagellum. Each unit of the styliform complex sensillum is innervated by three bipolar sensory cells and has structural features characteristic of a thermo-hygrosensillum. We also ascertained the number and distribution of each of the eight types of sensilla on a single flagellomere (annulus) about midway along the flagellum of a female antenna. A total of 2216 sensilla were found on the dorsal, ventral, and leading surfaces of that annulus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan-Ying Dong ◽  
Bing Wang ◽  
Gui-Rong Wang

The olfactory sensing system of the syrphid fly Eupeodes corollae is essential in pollination and prey localization, but little is known about the ultrastructural organization of their olfactory organs. In this study, the morphology, distribution, and ultrastructural organization of antennal sensilla of E. corollae in both sexes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Neuronal responses of a subtype of sensilla basiconica to floral scent compounds were recorded by single sensillum recording (SSR). Ten morphological types, including Böhm bristles, sensilla chaetica, microtrichiae, sensilla trichodea, sensilla basiconica, sensilla clavate, sensilla coeloconica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla placodea, and sensory pit, were identified. Except for Böhm bristles and sensilla chaetica, which were distributed on the scape and pedicel of E. corollae antennae, innervated sensilla were densely distributed on the flagellum, a vital sensory organ. Further, observing ultrastructural organization showed that the sensilla trichodea, basiconica, and clavate are single-walled with multiple nanoscale pores perforating the cuticle. Sensilla coeloconica are double-walled and have no wall pores, but instead, have longitudinal grooves along with the pegs. Sensilla chaetica, Böhm bristles, and microtrichiae did not have wall pores on the cuticle or sensory cells at the base. The SSR results indicated that neuron B housed in the subtype of sensilla basiconica I (SBI) mainly responded to methyl eugenol and other aromatic compounds. Overall, our results provide valuable information to understand the morphology and ultrastructure of antennal sensilla from E. corollae. These findings are beneficial for the studies of the neuronal function map of olfactory sensilla and for determining evolutionary relationships in Diptera.


Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Bahia ◽  
Ana Beatriz F Barletta ◽  
Luciana Conceição Pinto ◽  
Alessandra S Orfanó ◽  
Rafael Nacif-Pimenta ◽  
...  

Abstract We investigated by scanning electron microscopy the morphology, distribution, and abundance of antennal sensilla of females Phlebotomus duboscqi sand fly, an important vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis at Afrotropical region. Thirteen well-differentiated sensilla were identified, among six types of cuticular sensilla. The probable function of these sensillary types is discussed in relation to their external structure and distribution. Five sensillary types were classified as olfactory sensilla, as they have specific morphological characters of sensilla with this function. Number and distribution of sensilla significantly differed between antennal segments. The results of the present work, besides corroborating in the expansion of the morphological and ultrastructural knowledge of P. duboscqi, can foment future electrophysiological studies for the development of volatile semiochemicals, to be used as attractants in traps for monitoring and selective vector control of this sand fly.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Milos Sevarika ◽  
Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi ◽  
Roberto Romani

Dryocosmus kuriphilus is a gall-inducing insect, which can cause significant damage on plants of the genus Castanea Mill., 1754. Antennae and ovipositor are the main sensory organs involved in the location of suitable oviposition sites. Antennal sensilla are involved in the host plant location, while ovipositor sensilla assess the suitability of the ovipositional bud. On both organs, diverse sensillar organs are present. Here, the distribution and ultrastructural organization of the sensilla were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The antennae of D. kuriphilus are filiform and composed of 14 antennomeres, with the distal flagellomere bearing the highest number of sensilla. On the antennae, 6 sensilla types were found; sensilla chaetica, campaniformia, coeloconica-I, coeloconica-II, trichoidea and placoidea. The sensilla placoidea and trichoidea were the most abundant types. On the external walls of the ovipositor, gustatory and mechanoreceptive sensilla were observed. Internally, the egg channel hosted two additional sensory structures. The putative functional role of each sensilla in the context of insect’s ecology is discussed as well as the ovipositional mechanism used by this insect.


1992 ◽  
Vol 337 (1282) ◽  
pp. 457-469 ◽  

The osphradium of Campanile symbolicum Iredale, 1917 is a gill-like, bipectinate sense organ, which is located at the left side of the mantle roof. The mass of the deeply clefted sensory epithelium of the leaflets is built up by sensory cells, which are provided with deeply invaginated aberrant cilia and large cytosomes containing pigment formations. In addition, many free nerve processes are present, bearing a single or few sensory cilia with accessory centrioles. Polyciliary cells are interspersed. A cell type with netlike or concentrically arranged smooth endoplasmic reticulum is commonly found near the central axis of the osphradium . The central zone of each leaflet includes nervous tissue and a complicated muscular grid, with pore cells and fibroblasts also present. Based on the fine-structural data the functional and ecological significance of the osphradium of Campanile symbolicum is discussed. The com bination of herbivory and a lamellar osphradium is rare among the Gastropoda, suggesting that the osphradium of Campanile might also be involved in reproductive biology. Many fine-structural features of the osphradium of Campanile symbolicum are unique among the gastropods and reflect the phylogenetic isolation of this relict snail. The net-like cell type, however, is probably homologous with the so-called Si4 cell in the rem aining caenogastropods, for which a largely different osphradial fine-structure is diagnostic. The affinities of Campanile symbolicum are probably closer to the Caenogastropoda than to the Allogastropoda and Euthyneura. With present knowledge it might be best classified near the base or even as the first clade within the Caenogastropoda.


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1443-1453 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Sutcliffe ◽  
E. G. Kokko ◽  
J. L. Shipp

The innervation and internal ultrastructure of the antennal flagellar sensilla of female Simulium arcticum (cytotypes IIL-3 and IIS-10.11) are described from transmission electron micrographs. Two types of contact chemosensilla and at least four types of olfactory sensilla (sensilla trichodea, two or more types of sensilla basiconica, grooved pegs) were found. These correspond to sensillar types previously described from scanning electron micrographs of the antennae of these species. In addition, possible thermo- and hygro-receptive sensilla coeloconica are described from the antennal tip. The sensory complement of the simuliid antenna is compared with those of certain other dipterans, and possible roles of these sensilla in host location and other behaviours are discussed.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1544 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
NA LI ◽  
BING-ZHONG REN ◽  
MIAO LIU

The types, numbers and distributions of antennal sensilla were studied in both male and female adults of eight Acrididae species in Northeast China using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Totally, there were thirteen types of sensilla found on the antennae. They were identified as trichoid sensilla (I, II), chaetic sensilla (I, II), basiconic sensilla (I, II, III, IV, V), cavity sensilla, coeloconic sensilla, boehm's bristles and paddle-shaped sensilla. The types of antennal sensilla in each Acrididae species ranged from nine to twelve. Each of the species had the same types of antennal sensilla in male and female, and males had more abundant basiconic sensilla, chaetic sensilla, coeloconic sensilla, cavity sensilla than females. Acrida cinerca had the largest total numbers of sensilla, and Euthystria lueifemora had the fewest. Boehm's bristles had a concentration in the base of the pedicel. Paddle-shaped sensilla had a concentration in the base of the scape. There were significant differences in the distribution of the other eleven types of sensilla.


Author(s):  
Xiaofei Li ◽  
Daogong Zhang ◽  
Lei Xu ◽  
Yuechen Han ◽  
Wenwen Liu ◽  
...  

Spag6 encodes an axoneme central apparatus protein that is required for normal flagellar and cilia motility. Recent findings suggest that Spag6 also plays a role in ciliogenesis, orientation of cilia basal feet, and planar polarity. Sensory cells of the inner ear display unique structural features that underlie their mechanosensitivity. They represent a distinctive form of cellular polarity, known as planar cell polarity (PCP). However, a role for Spag6 in the inner ear has not yet been explored. In the present study, the function of Spag6 in the inner ear was examined using Spag6-deficient mice. Our results demonstrate hearing loss in the Spag6 mutants, associated with abnormalities in cellular patterning, cell shape, stereocilia bundles and basal bodies, as well as abnormally distributed Frizzled class receptor 6 (FZD6), suggesting that Spag6 participates in PCP regulation. Moreover, we found that the sub-apical microtubule meshwork was disrupted. Our observations suggest new functions for Spag6 in hearing and PCP in the inner ear.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Nicastro ◽  
Ulrich Smola ◽  
Roland R. Melzer

The prehensile antennae of larval Chaoborus crystallinus are equipped with seven sensilla that comprise 24 sensory cells. Analysis of their ultrastructure indicates that they represent either mechano-or chemo-receptors. The main chemosensory input is established by a compound sensillum, S15 ("sensory cone" with 15-sensory cells), that is located at the tip of the antennal article (outer ventral claw). Exteroreceptors are the "middle claw" of the antenna, and a small sensillum trichodeum at half the length of the antennal article. Proprioreceptive mechanoreceptors are found in the proximal and distal regions of the antennal article. Comparison of sensillar arrangement and ultrastructure indicates that the ancient sensillar equipment of the culicid type is still present within the highly specialized catching apparatus of C. crystallinus. Compared with Culicidae, chemosensitive input is reduced, while proprioreceptive, mechanosensory input is highly developed. Larvae of Culicidae and Chaoboridae appear to possess a homologous set of antennal senilla that show specializations connected to the different functions of the antennae.


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