Constancies in the neuronal architecture of the suboesophageal ganglion at metamorphosis in the beetleTenebrio molitor L.

Abstract

Topological organization of identified neurons has been characterized for the larval, pupal and imaginal suboeosphageal neuropil of the meal-worm beetleTenebrio molitor. Neuronal fate mapping allows identification of individually persisting neurons in the metamorphosing suboesophageal ganglion ofTenebrio. Analysis was performed on interneurons characterized by serotonin and CCAP (crustacean cardioactive peptide) immunohistochemistry, on motoneurons that innervate the dorsal and ventral longitudinal muscles, and on suboesophageal descending neurons. All these different populations of neurons show topologically invariant features throughout metamorphosis. Motoneurons, interneurons, and descending suboesophageal neurons of the imaginal suboeosphageal ganglion embody individually persisting larval interneurons. Impacts for a functional interpretation of the neuronal architecture of the suboesophageal ganglion are discussed.