Reorganization of sensory regulation of locust flight after partial deafferentation

Previous investigations have shown that the flight motor pattern of the mature locust (Locusta migratoria L.) relies heavily on the input of the hindwing tegulae. Removal of the hindwing tegulae results in an immediate change in the motor pattern: the wingbeat frequency (WBF) decreases and the interval between the activity of depressor and elevator muscles (D-E interval) increases. In contrast, removal of the forewing tegulae has little effect on the motor pattern. Here we report adaptive modifications in the flight system that occur after the removal of the hindwing tegulae. Over a period of about 2 weeks following hindwing tegula removal, the flight motor pattern progressively returned towards normal, and in about 80% of the animals recovery of the flight motor pattern was complete. We describe the changes in the activity pattern of flight muscles and in the patterns of depolarizations in flight motoneurons and flight interneurons associated with this recovery. In contrast to the situation in the intact animal, the activity of the forewing tegulae is necessary in recovered animals for the generation of the motor pattern. Removal of the forewing tegulae in recovered animals resulted in similar changes in the flight motor pattern as were observed in intact animals after the removal of the hindwing tegulae. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of forewing tegula afferents in recovered animals produced similar resetting effects on the motor pattern as electrical stimulation of the hindwing tegulae afferents in intact animals. From these observations we conclude that recovery is due to the functional replacement of the removed hindwing tegulae by input from the forewing tegulae.