Nervous system of Triatoma infestans

Abstract

The anatomy of the adult nervous system of the haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans has been studied by means of dissections and histology. The central nervous system comprises three nervous masses: the brain+suboesophageal ganglion, the prothoracic ganglion, and the posterior fused ganglion (meso+metathoracic+abdominal ganglia). The form of the brain is determined by the tubular head and the highly developed muscles of the pharyngeal pump. The prothoracic ganglion is located near the posternum, the posterior ganglionic mass near the mesosternum. A significative variation of the branching pattern of abdominal nerves is reported. The innervations of mouth parts, salivary glands, muscles, retrocerebral complex, spiracles, rectum, reproductive organs, alary muscles, and peripheral nerves are described.

Octopamine and tyramine regulate the activity of reproductive visceral muscles in the adult female blood-feeding bug, Rhodnius prolixus

“…The bursa deposits the fertilized eggs via strong phasic contractions. These activities are under the direct control of the central nervous system (CNS) and branches of the trunk nerves innervate the reproductive tissues of R. prolixus (Insausti, 1994). The lateral oviducts are made up of two layers of visceral muscle, an inner circular and an outer longitudinal layer, whilst the bursa is made up of thicker muscle fibres arranged longitudinally (Sedra and Lange, 2014).…”

Distribution of serotonin in the central nervous system of the blood‐feeding heteropteran, Triatoma infestans (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

“…It should be noted that branches from Triatoma infestans labial nerves run close to the salivary ducts (Barth, 1975) and within the thorax innervate the salivary glands (Insausti, 1994). In other insect species 5-HT-LI has been detected in the nerve supply to these glands (Tyrer et al, 1984;Lange et al, 1988;Ali et al, 1993;Novak et al, 1995).…”

“…This disease is a public health problem in South America as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2002). Despite the epidemiological importance of this insect species, our knowledge on the morphology (Barth, 1975;Insausti, 1994) and distribution of neurotransmitters in its CNS is still fragmentary (Villar et al, 1994;Settembrini and Villar, 1999;Settembrini et al, 2003). Due to the multiple actions of 5-HT in insect tissues, knowledge of the localization of the indolamine in T. infestans CNS could be important for dealing with this disease vector insect.…”

Distribution and characterization of nitric oxide synthase in the nervous system of Triatoma infestans (Insecta: Heteroptera)

“…Immunostaining is also present in neuropils and intersegmental and commissural fibers. The SOG of T. infestans sends branches to several structures of the feeding apparatus, including the salivary glands (Insausti 1994). Moreover, the mandibular and maxillary neuropils are the target of fibers from the sensilla chaetica of the anterior part of the head capsule.…”