Microscopic analysis of mechanosensory system monitoring the dynamic claw actions in the tenebrionid beetle Zophobas atratus

Ichikawa, Toshio; Toh, Yoshihiro; Ohkubo, K; Nishino, Hiroshi

doi:10.1007/s00435-014-0225-8

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…(d) The latter sensilla at higher magnification. Their morphology strongly resembles the “ventral campaniform sensilla” described previously (Ichikawa et al, ). Scales: 50 μm in a, 100 μm in b (20 μm in inset), 20 μm in c, 3 μm in d…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

“…In contrast to the bristles on the ventral tarsal rim, the number of campaniform sensilla that are located further proximal on the inner surface of the most distal tarsomere showed constant numbers, one in Melolontha and two in Tenebrio . These sensilla most likely correspond to the pair described as “ventral CS” in Zophobas (Ichikawa et al, ). As in Zophobas , also in Tenebrio the domes of the sensilla are sunk in channel‐like cuticular depressions (compare Figure c with Figure b in Ichikawa et al, ) that makes it hard to clearly see them in the SEM .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…These sensilla most likely correspond to the pair described as “ventral CS” in Zophobas (Ichikawa et al, ). As in Zophobas , also in Tenebrio the domes of the sensilla are sunk in channel‐like cuticular depressions (compare Figure c with Figure b in Ichikawa et al, ) that makes it hard to clearly see them in the SEM . Their micromorphology and innervation, however, identify them as campaniform sensilla, at least in Zophobas (Ichikawa et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Moreover, the number of bristles within the fields was variable (Supporting Information figure 3). This was surprising because in a previous investigation of another darkling beetle, Zophobas atratus , campaniform sensilla associated with the bristles on the rim were described (Ichikawa et al, ). Similarly, one campaniform sensillum associated with bristles was described in the sensillum fields of rove beetles (Betz, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…They may also be present in leafhoppers (Wei, Webb, & Zhang, ), but these authors interpret the structures they found as a new type of sense organ. Only two scanning electron microscopical studies exist that unequivocally show campaniform sensilla located ventrally, both studies using beetles (Betz, ; Ichikawa, Toh, Ohkubo, & Nishino, ). In a staphylinid beetle Betz () observed three sensilla located closely together and called them “sensillum field.” In these beetles the field consists of two bristles and a campaniform sensillum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanoreceptive sensillum fields at the tarsal tip of insect legs

Joel

Adamova

Bräunig

2018

Journal of Morphology

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Groups of mechanoreceptive sensilla form small sensory fields on the ventral rim of the most distal tarsomeres in insects. Within these fields two or three sensilla are located closely together. Anterior and posterior fields are found in all three pairs of legs with only a few exceptions. The composition, exact location, and morphology of the fields were studied in representative species of several insect orders using light and scanning electron microscopy. There was no obvious correlation between field morphology and insect phylogenetic relationships.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Mechanoreceptive sensillum fields at the tarsal tip of insect legs

Joel

Adamova

Bräunig

2018

Journal of Morphology

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Structure and function of the elastic organ in the tibia of a tenebrionid beetle

Ichikawa

Toh

Sakamoto

2016

Sci Nat

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Many insects have a pair of claws on the tip of each foot (tarsus and pretarsus). The movement of the pretarsal claws is mediated by a long apodeme that originates from the claw retractor muscles in the femur. It is generally accepted that the pulling of the apodeme by the muscles flexes the claws to engage with a rough surface of a substrate, and the flexed claws return to their initial position by passive elastic forces within the tarso-pretarsal joint. We found that each tibia of the tenebrionid beetle Zophobas atratus had a chordal elastic organ that tied the apodeme to the distal end of the tibia and assisted the pulled apodeme to return smoothly. The elastic body of the elastic organ consists of a bundle of more than 1000 thin fibrils (0.3-1.5 μm in diameter) with a hairy yarn-shaped structure made by assemblies of intricately interwoven microfibers. Both ends of the fibrillar elastic body were supported by clusters of columnar cells. Ablation of the elastic organ often disturbed the rapid and smooth return of claws from a flexed position when the tarsal segments were forced to curve in order to increase the friction between the apodeme and surrounding tissues in the segments. The result suggests that rapid claw disengagement is an important step in each cycle of leg movements, and the elastic organ may have evolved to assist the reliable detachment of claws that engage tightly with the substrate when climbing or traversing inverted surfaces.

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