Hearing and frequency dependence of auditory interneurons in the parasitoid fly Homotrixa alleni (Tachinidae : Ormiini) - Research portal of Justus Liebig University Giessen:

Journal article

Hearing and frequency dependence of auditory interneurons in the parasitoid fly Homotrixa alleni (Tachinidae : Ormiini)

Authors list: Stumpner, A; Allen, GR; Lakes-Harlan, R

Publication year: 2007

Pages: 113-125

Journal: Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology

Volume number: 193

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 0340-7594

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0174-x

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:
The parasitoid tachinid fly Homotrixa alleni detects its hosts by their acoustic signals. The tympanal organ of the fly is located at the prothorax and contains scolopidial sensory units of different size and orientation. The tympanal membrane vibrates in the frequency range of approximately 4-35 kHz, which is also reflected in the hearing threshold measured at the neck connective. The auditory organ is not tuned to the peak frequency (5 kHz) of the main host, the bush cricket Sciarasaga quadrata. Auditory afferents project in the three thoracic neuromeres. Most of the ascending interneurons branch in all thoracic neuromeres and terminate in the deutocerebrum of the brain. The interneurons do not differ considerably in frequency tuning, but in their sensitivity with lowest thresholds around 30 dB SPL. Suprathreshold responses of most neurons depend on frequency and intensity, indicating inhibitory influence at higher intensities. Some neurons respond particularly well at low frequency sounds (around 5 kHz) and high intensities (80-90 dB SPL), and thus may be involved in detection of the primary host, S. quadrata. The auditory system of H. alleni contains auditory interneurons reacting in a wide range of temporal patterns from strictly phasic to tonic and with clear differences in frequency responses.

Authors/Editors

- Uni.-Prof. Dr. Reinhard Lakes-Harlan

Citation Styles

Harvard Citation style: Stumpner, A., Allen, G. and Lakes-Harlan, R. (2007) Hearing and frequency dependence of auditory interneurons in the parasitoid fly Homotrixa alleni (Tachinidae : Ormiini), Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology, 193(1), pp. 113-125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0174-x

APA Citation style: Stumpner, A., Allen, G., & Lakes-Harlan, R. (2007). Hearing and frequency dependence of auditory interneurons in the parasitoid fly Homotrixa alleni (Tachinidae : Ormiini). Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology. 193(1), 113-125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0174-x