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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects

Studying the Neural Basis of Adaptive Locomotor Behavior in Insects

Published on: April 13, 2011

Thorax-Segment- and Leg-Segment-Specific Motor Control for Adaptive Behavior.

Elzbieta Hammel¹, Charalampos Mantziaris¹, Joscha Schmitz¹

¹Animal Physiology, Biocenter, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, Germany.

Frontiers in Physiology

|May 23, 2022

Summary

Stick insects adjust leg movements for curve walking through specific changes in motor neuron activity. These adjustments are localized to individual leg joints and thorax segments, mediated by local central pattern generating networks.

Keywords:

adaptive behavior insect locomotion modulation motor control turning walking

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Locomotion Biomechanics
Animal Behavior

Background:

Understanding motor program flexibility is crucial for deciphering locomotion control.
Segmental neural networks coordinate individual leg movements in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Investigating curve walking in stick insects provides insights into turning mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanisms of curve walking in the stick insect *Carausius morosus* during optomotor-induced turning.
To determine if body-side specific changes in leg motor activity extend to all thoracic leg segments.
To elucidate the role of central pattern generating networks (CPGs) in mediating turning-related motor output modifications.

Main Methods:

Recorded motor neuron activity in three major leg joints (thorax-coxa, coxa-trochanteral, femur-tibia-tarsus) during curve walking.
Pharmacologically activated meso- and metathoracic CPGs.
Analyzed motor output changes in relation to turning direction (inside/outside turns).

Main Results:

Thorax-coxa joint motor neuron activity showed context-dependent changes based on turning direction.
Coxa-trochanteral joint motor neuron pools exhibited directional-independent activation/cessation.
Femur-tibia-tarsus joint motor neuron activity was modified in a turning-direction-dependent manner in one, but not the other, thorax segment.
Pharmacological activation confirmed that turning-related motor output changes involve local CPG activity.

Conclusions:

Motor activity changes during curve walking are specific to leg joints and thorax segments.
These modifications are influenced by turning direction.
Local CPG activity is the primary mediator of these turning-specific motor adjustments in the meso- and metathorax.