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Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 183, Issue 1 15-33, Copyright © 1993 by Company of Biologists
JOURNAL ARTICLES |
J. Schmitz
The responses of retractor coxae and protractor coxae motoneurones and of the retractor coxae muscle to cuticular stress applied to the leg were investigated in standing and walking stick insects, Carausius morosus. The coxa of a middle or hind leg was restrained and the trochanterofemur was bent by moving the distal tip of the femur anteriorly or posteriorly, i.e. perpendicular to its normal plane of movement. The maximum amplitude used was 200 micrometre, which corresponds to a deflection of 0.95°, and the forces necessary to bend the trochanterofemur were between 0.29 and 2.91 mN. Thus, cuticular stress could be applied in particular directions and with controlled amplitudes within the physiological range. This cuticular stress induced direction- and amplitude-dependent reflex responses in excitatory retractor coxae and protractor coxae motoneurones. The reflexes clearly constitute a negative feedback system which continuously compensates cuticular stress in the legs of standing and walking animals. Two groups of trochanteral campaniform sensilla, the posterior group and the anterior ventral group, were shown to underlie this feedback loop. These results prove directly for the first time the important function of single groups of trochanteral campaniform sensilla in the control of posture and locomotion in stick insects. I discuss the importance of these results for the interpretation of previous findings on stick insects subjected to increased load during walking.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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B. Ch. Ludwar, S. Westmark, A. Buschges, and J. Schmidt Modulation of Membrane Potential in Mesothoracic Moto- and Interneurons During Stick Insect Front-Leg Walking J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2005; 94(4): 2772 - 2784. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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T. Akay, S. Haehn, J. Schmitz, and A. Buschges Signals From Load Sensors Underlie Interjoint Coordination During Stepping Movements of the Stick Insect Leg J Neurophysiol, July 1, 2004; 92(1): 42 - 51. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 M. Holtje and R. Hustert Rapid mechano-sensory pathways code leg impact and elicit very rapid reflexes in insects J. Exp. Biol., August 15, 2003; 206(16): 2715 - 2724. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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T. Akay, U. Bassler, P. Gerharz, and A. Buschges The Role of Sensory Signals From the Insect Coxa-Trochanteral Joint in Controlling Motor Activity of the Femur-Tibia Joint J Neurophysiol, February 1, 2001; 85(2): 594 - 604. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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H. Fischer, J. Schmidt, R. Haas, and A. Buschges Pattern Generation for Walking and Searching Movements of a Stick Insect Leg. I. Coordination of Motor Activity J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2001; 85(1): 341 - 353. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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C Bartling and J Schmitz Reaction to disturbances of a walking leg during stance J. Exp. Biol., January 4, 2000; 203(7): 1211 - 1223. [Abstract] [PDF]
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 J. Duysens, F. Clarac, and H. Cruse Load-Regulating Mechanisms in Gait and Posture: Comparative Aspects Physiol Rev, January 1, 2000; 80(1): 83 - 133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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W. Stein and J. Schmitz Multimodal Convergence of Presynaptic Afferent Inhibition in Insect Proprioceptors J Neurophysiol, July 1, 1999; 82(1): 512 - 514. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 H. Cruse, Ch. Bartling, M. Dreifert, J. Schmitz, D.E. Brunn, J. Dean, and T. Kindermann Walking: A Complex Behavior Controlled by Simple Networks Adaptive Behavior, March 1, 1995; 3(4): 385 - 418. [Abstract] [PDF]
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