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Journal of Experimental Biology 40,541-552 (1963)
Published by Company of Biologists 1963

Properties of Interneurones in the Abdominal Nerve Cord of a Dragonfly Nymph

ANN FIELDEN ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Ann Knights (neé Fielden), Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

1. Responses of single interneurones in the abdominal connectives of the dragonfly nymph following electrical stimulation of the segmental nerves were investigated.

2. Excitation and inhibition were seen in fibres with a resting discharge. Repetitive trains of impulses, varying between units and with the source of the afferent volley, were common.

3. Changes in the intensity and frequency of stimulation affected the pattern of the repetitive responses. An increase in the intensity of the volley shortened the latency and increased the length of the train, while an increase in rate reduced the number of impulses.

4. Most interneurones responded to stimulation of more than one afferent pathway. Multisegmental fibres and multiple connexions of fibres were common.

5. These responses are compared with those of spinal interneurones and discussed in relation to their function in the animal.