Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2006

Seiten: 20-

Zeitschrift: Frontiers in Zoology

Bandnummer: 3

ISSN: 1742-9994

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-3-20

Verlag: BioMed Central

Abstract: 
Insect ears contain very different numbers of sensory cells, from only one sensory cell in some moths to thousands of sensory cells, e.g. in cicadas. These differences still await functional explanation and especially the large numbers in cicadas remain puzzling. Insects of the different orders have distinct developmental sequences for the generation of auditory organs. These sensory cells might have different functions depending on the developmental stages. Here we propose that constraints arising during development are also important for the design of insect ears and might influence cell numbers of the adults.
We propose that the functional requirements of the subadult stages determine the adult complement of sensory units in the auditory system of cicadas. The hypothetical larval sensory organ should function as a vibration receiver, representing a functional caenogenesis.
Experiments at different levels have to be designed to test the hypothesis. Firstly, the neuroanatomy of the larval sense organ should be analyzed to detail. Secondly, the function should be unraveled neurophysiologically and behaviorally. Thirdly, the persistence of the sensory cells and the rebuilding of the sensory organ to the adult should be investigated.
Usually, the evolution of insect ears is viewed with respect to physiological and neuronal mechanisms of sound perception. This view should be extended to the development of sense organs. Functional requirements during postembryonic development may act as constraints for the evolution of adult organs, as exemplified with the auditory system of cicadas.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Lakes-Harlan, R. and Strauss, J. (2006) Developmental constraint of insect audition, Frontiers in Zoology, 3, p. 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-3-20

APA-Zitierstil: Lakes-Harlan, R., & Strauss, J. (2006). Developmental constraint of insect audition. Frontiers in Zoology. 3, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-3-20