Jm. Camhi et En. Johnson, High-frequency steering maneuvers mediated by tactile cues: Antennal wall-following by the cockroach, J EXP BIOL, 202(5), 1999, pp. 631-643
Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) use their antennae to detect a wall and
to maintain a constant distance from it as they walk or run along it. The
faster they run, the closer they position themselves to the wall. They also
use their antennae to detect and follow multiple accordion-like projection
s in the wall. They can make up to 25 body turns s(-1) for short periods du
ring rapid running to follow such wall projections. Each turn apparently in
volves a change in stepping direction. These turns help to avoid collisions
with the outward projections, while keeping the body close to the wall.
Sensory inputs from the flagellum of the antenna, and not from its base, ap
pear to evoke the turns in response to wall projections. These flagellar in
puts appear to report the position along the antenna of its contact with th
e wall and/or the position of the consequent antennal bend. This flagellar
information constitutes a one-dimensional sensory map, with location along
the map indicating the distance to the wall.