Ablation of Antennae Does Not Disrupt Magnetoreceptive Behavioural Reaction of the American Cockroach to Periodically Rotated Geomagnetic Field.
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Neuroscience Letters |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Neurology, neurosurgery, neurosciences |
| Keywords | Magnetoreception Insects Behaviour Antenna Periplaneta |
| Description | Neither a mode of function nor an exact anatomical localization of the animal magnetoreceptor have been identified in any organism. Insects antennae are organs specialized as unique neural input structures for a number of sensory modalities and have also been suggested to play a certain role in magnetoreception. In the present study, we used the American cockroach Periplaneta americana and tested the impact of amputation of both its antennae on the spontaneous magnetosensitive behaviour. By means of a full-laboratory assay we registered a non-specific unlearned movement reaction to the changing magnetic environment within the frame of the natural time and intensity parameters of the field. We report no loss of the magnetoreceptive behaviour in antennaeless cockroaches. Our finding narrows the spectrum of the insects magnetite-rich nerve structures which might potentially be involved in magnetoreception. |
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