A method for controlling body wall turgor during electrophysiological recording from central neurons in ecdysing...

A method for obtaining intracellular recordings from central neurons of insects during the performance of ecdysial behaviors is described. Body wall turgor must be restored to high levels in order to provide the CNS with appropriate sensory feedback required for the generation of motor output. This is accomplished by installing the insect in a decompression chamber so that an opening in the animal's ventral surface communicates with the atmosphere. Reduction of chamber pressure causes expansion of the insect's body wall. It is suggested that adaptations of this technique to invertebrates with hydrostatic skeletons is possible and would permit electrophysiological studies of behaviors which normally require high blood pressures for their performance.