Rigidity and Flexibility: The Central Basis of Inter-Leg Coordination in the Locust.

ABSTRACT: Many motor behaviors, and specifically locomotion, are the product of an intricate interplay between neuronal oscillators known as central pattern generators (CPGs), descending central commands, and sensory feedback loops. The relative contribution of each of these components to the final behavior determines the trade-off between fixed movements and those that are carefully adapted to the environment. Here we sought to decipher the endogenous, default, motor output of the CPG network controlling the locust legs, in the absence of any sensory or descending influences. We induced rhythmic activity in the leg CPGs in isolated nervous system preparations, using different application procedures of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. We found that the three thoracic ganglia, each controlling a p

SUBMITTER: Knebel D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5225121 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature