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Auto-spermatophore extrusion in male crickets
Mikihiko Kumashiro1, Yohei Tsuji, Masaki Sakai
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Okayama University, Tsushima-Naka-3-1-1, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|November 12, 2003
Summary
The male cricket's reproductive timer, located in the terminal abdominal ganglion (TAG), controls the sexually refractory period. This timer functions autonomously, even when the TAG is separated from the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroethology
- Insect reproductive physiology
- Behavioral neuroscience
Background:
- The male cricket reproductive cycle includes mating and refractory stages.
- The second refractory stage (RS2) is time-fixed, suggesting a 'reproductive timer'.
- Previous studies implicated the terminal abdominal ganglion (TAG) in regulating RS2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide further evidence for the TAG as the location of the reproductive timer.
- To investigate the timer's function in dissected animals.
- To characterize auto-spermatophore extrusion as a timer-controlled event.
Main Methods:
- Investigated auto-spermatophore extrusion in intact and dissected male crickets.
- Measured the time interval (SPaSE) from spermatophore preparation to auto-spermatophore extrusion.
- Performed spike recordings from neurons in the separated TAG.
Main Results:
- Auto-spermatophore extrusion occurred in 100% of dissected males with a separated TAG.
- The SPaSE interval was comparable to the duration of RS2.
- Neuronal activity in the separated TAG showed time-dependent changes correlating with SPaSE.
Conclusions:
- The reproductive timer is localized within the TAG.
- The TAG functions autonomously in regulating the reproductive timer, independent of the central nervous system.
- Auto-spermatophore extrusion is a reliable indicator of timer function.