CENTRAL PROJECTION OF AUDITORY RECEPTORS IN THE PROTHORACIC GANGLION OF THE BUSH-CRICKET PSORODONOTUS-ILLYRICUS (TETTIGONIIDAE) - COMPUTER-AIDED ANALYSIS OF THE END BRANCH PATTERN

The projection patterns of morphologically and functionally identified auditory and auditory-vibratory receptor cells of receptor organs (th e crista acustica and the intermediate organ) in the foreleg of the te ttigoniid Psorodonotus illyricus, were investigated with combined reco rding and staining techniques, and subsequent histological examination and morphometric measurements. With the application of a computer pro gram (AutoCAD), three-dimensional reconstructions of the axon end bran ches of receptor cells within the neuropile of the anterior Ring Tract (aRT) were made, in order to determine, the entire shape of each, the pattern and density of the end branches, and the positions of the tar get areas within the auditory neuropile. Clear differences for differe nt functional types of receptors were found. (C) 1994 John Wiley and S ons, Inc.