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Journal of Experimental Biology 123,255-283 (1986)
Published by Company of Biologists 1986

The Organization and Role During Locomotion of the Proximal Musculature of the Cricket Foreleg : I. Anatomy and Innervation

GILLES LAURENT ¹ and DANIEL RICHARD ²

¹ Laboratoire de Neuroethologie, UA CNRS 664, Université Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France; University of Cambridge, Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
² Laboratoire de Neuroethologie, UA CNRS 664, Universite Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France

Reprint requests should be sent to D. Richard at this address.

The structure of the proximal segments of the cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) foreleg, together with the associated musculature and its innervation are described. The morphology of 50 motor neurones involved in the control of this musculature has been revealed using backfilling techniques with cobalt, horseradish peroxidase and Lucifer Yellow.

The ‘ball and socket’ pleurocoxal joint is moved by three sets of anatomical antagonists (promotor-remotor, abductor-adductor, anterior-posterior rotator muscles) inserted on each side of the three axes of rotation.

The axial coxotrochanteral joint is moved by the intrinsic levator and the depressor muscles; these depressors are composed of an intrinsic (coxotrochanteral) and a ‘double’ (pleurotrochanteral) subgroup.

The double depressors, and all the muscles inserting on the trochantin (promotors) or the anterior coxal rim (adductor, abductors, anterior rotators) are supplied by at least eighteen neurones, whose axons run in nerve 3.

The muscles that insert on the posterior coxal rim (remotors, posterior rotators) are innervated by at least twelve similar neurones whose axons run in nerve 4.

The intrinsic coxal muscles are supplied by branches of nerve 5 (ten motor neurones to the levators, two to the depressors).

Three presumably common inhibitors, and one Dorsal Unpaired Median (DUM) neurone have also been found.

Key words: cricket, leg muscles, motor neurones

Submitted on February 24, 1986

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