Force feedback reinforces muscle synergies in insect legs

Zill, Sasha N.; Chaudhry, Sumaiya; Büschges, Ansgar; Schmitz, Josef

doi:10.1016/j.asd.2015.07.001

Cited by 28 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…These specific legs were utilized to extend findings of previously published studies (Zill et al, 2012; 2015a, b). While the legs are of different body segments, the distribution, number and responses of campaniform sensilla are quite similar in middle and hind legs in both species (Hofmann and Bässler, 1982, 1986; Keller et al, 2007; Zill et al, 2009).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The combined action of these muscles ensures that adequate adhesion is rapidly established and maintained after leg contact (Gorb, 2008). Our previous study in cockroaches and stick insects showed that leg campaniform sensilla, that encode forces as cuticular strains, can aid in activation of the synergist muscles that generate substrate grip (Zill et al, 2004, 2015a, b). The receptors of the leg act as an ensemble as campaniform sensilla at different locations reinforce the same muscle synergies with proximally located receptors affecting distal leg muscles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The receptors of the leg act as an ensemble as campaniform sensilla at different locations reinforce the same muscle synergies with proximally located receptors affecting distal leg muscles. However, the specific groups of sensilla that produced effects on muscle synergies were species-specific: in cockroaches, synergist activation was mediated by trochanteral sensilla but this effect was associated with femoral campaniform sensilla in stick insects (Zill et al, 2015a, b). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of force detecting sense organs on muscle synergies are correlated with their response properties

Zill

Neff

Chaudhry

et al. 2017

Arthropod Structure & Development

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Sense organs that monitor forces in legs can contribute to activation of muscles as synergist groups. Previous studies in cockroaches and stick insects showed that campaniform sensilla, receptors that encode forces via exoskeletal strains, enhance muscle synergies in substrate grip. However synergist activation was mediated by different groups of receptors in cockroaches (trochanteral sensilla) and stick insects (femoral sensilla). The factors underlying the differential effects are unclear as the responses of femoral campaniform sensilla have not previously been characterized. The present study characterized the structure and response properties (via extracellular recording) of the femoral sensilla in both insects. The cockroach trochantero-femoral (TrF) joint is mobile and the joint membrane acts as an elastic antagonist to the reductor muscle. Cockroach femoral campaniform sensilla show weak discharges to forces in the coxo-trochanteral (CTr) joint plane (in which forces are generated by coxal muscles) but instead encode forces directed posteriorly (TrF joint plane). In stick insects, the TrF joint is fused and femoral campaniform sensilla discharge both to forces directed posteriorly and forces in the CTr joint plane. These findings support the idea that receptors that enhance synergies encode forces in the plane of action of leg muscles used in support and propulsion.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of force detecting sense organs on muscle synergies are correlated with their response properties

Zill

Neff

Chaudhry

et al. 2017

Arthropod Structure & Development

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“…Zill et al [180] focused on a muscle synergy involving three muscles of the same leg – namely, the depressor of the trochanter, the tibial flexor within the femur, and the retractor unguis within the tibia (Figure 6A). In order to exert a strong inward grip on the substrate underneath the foot, these three muscles must contract together.…”

Section: From Mechanosensation To Action: the Problems Faced By The Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specific clusters of campaniform sensilla on the tarsus and trochanter (green arrows) are activated when the leg grips the substrate, and their activation leads to increased grip. Adapted from [180]. …”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanosensation and Adaptive Motor Control in Insects

2016

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Summary The ability of animals to flexibly navigate through complex environments depends on the integration of sensory information with motor commands. The sensory modality most tightly linked to motor control is mechanosensation. Adaptive motor control depends critically on an animal’s ability to respond to mechanical forces generated both within and outside the body. The compact neural circuits of insects provide appealing systems to investigate how mechanical cues guide locomotion in rugged environments. Here, we review our current understanding of mechanosensation in insects and its role in adaptive motor control. We first examine the detection and encoding of mechanical forces by primary mechanoreceptor neurons. We then discuss how central circuits integrate and transform mechanosensory information to guide locomotion. Because most studies in this field have been performed in locusts, cockroaches, crickets, and stick insects, the examples we cite here are drawn mainly from these ‘big insects’. However, we also pay particular attention to the tiny fruit fly, Drosophila, where new tools are creating new opportunities, particularly for understanding central circuits. Our aim is to show how studies of big insects have yielded fundamental insights relevant to mechanosensation in all animals, and also to point out how the Drosophila toolkit can contribute to future progress in understanding mechanosensory processing.

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Location and arrangement of campaniform sensilla in Drosophila melanogaster

Dinges

Chockley

Bockemühl

et al. 2020

J of Comparative Neurology

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Sensory systems provide input to motor networks on the state of the body and environment. One such sensory system in insects is the campaniform sensilla (CS), which detect deformations of the exoskeleton arising from resisted movements or external perturbations. When physical strain is applied to the cuticle, CS external structures are compressed, leading to transduction in an internal sensory neuron. In Drosophila melanogaster, the distribution of CS on the exoskeleton has not been comprehensively described. To investigate CS number, location, spatial arrangement, and potential differences between individuals, we compared the front, middle, and hind legs of multiple flies using scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we imaged the entire body surface to confirm known CS locations. On the legs, the number and relative arrangement of CS varied between individuals, and single CS of corresponding segments showed characteristic differences between legs. This knowledge is fundamental for studying the relevance of cuticular strain information within the complex neuromuscular networks controlling posture and movement. This comprehensive account of all D. melanogaster CS helps set the stage for experimental investigations into their responsivity, sensitivity, and roles in sensory acquisition and motor control in a lightweight model organism.

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Force feedback reinforces muscle synergies in insect legs

Cited by 28 publications

References 58 publications

Effects of force detecting sense organs on muscle synergies are correlated with their response properties

Effects of force detecting sense organs on muscle synergies are correlated with their response properties

Mechanosensation and Adaptive Motor Control in Insects

Location and arrangement of campaniform sensilla in Drosophila melanogaster

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