TASTE SENSILLA OF FLIES - FUNCTION, CENTRAL NEURONAL PROJECTIONS, ANDDEVELOPMENT

Taste sensilla of flies are composed of only a few cells, all of which have different functions. Depending on the species and on the sensill um type, there are from 2-5 neurons, each of which has its own stimulu s specificity, and each of which makes a different contribution to the fly's behavior. In addition, taste sensilla include several nonneuron al cells that are important both for the development of the sensillum and for its functioning. The component cells of a sensillum derive fro m a single epidermal precursor according to a stereotyped sequence of mitoses. This review focuses on the different phenotypes of the compon ent cells of taste sensilla, particularly the stimulus sensitivity and central neuronal anatomy of the receptor neurons, and on the developm ent of this multicellular organ from a single precursor cell. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.