Purayil, Siju
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Research article2008Peer reviewed
Siju, K. P.; Hansson, Bill S.; Ignell, Rickard
Female mosquitoes depend on blood to complete their reproductive cycle and rely mainly on chemosensory systems to obtain blood meals. An immunocytochemical analysis reveals a number of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons that innervate the chemosensory systems, suggesting a potential role of serotonin in modulating chemosensory processes. In the primary olfactory system, we identify a single ipsilateral centrifugal neuron with arborizations in higher brain centers; the varicosities of this neuron display volumetric changes in response to both blood feeding and during a circadian rhythm. Six to eight pairs of serotonin-immunoreactive neurons are identified in the primary gustatory neuropil, including the subesophageal ganglion and tritocerebrum. The peripheral chemosensory organs, i.e. the antenna, the maxillary palp and the labium, are described as having extensive serotonergic neurohemal plexi. In addition, we describe the presence of serotonin-immunoreactive fibers in the mechanosensory Johnston's organ. Taking these results together, we discuss the potential role of serotonin as a neuromodulator in the chemosensory system of disease vector mosquitoes. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Aedes aegypti; Anopheles gambiae; antennal lobe; antenna; maxillary palp; labium; 5-hydroxytryptamine; neuromodulation
Arthropod Structure and Development
2008, Volume: 37, number: 4, pages: 248-259 Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2007.12.001
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/19929