Identification of the origin of force-feedback signals influencing motor neurons of the thoraco-coxal joint in an insect

Force feedback from Campaniform sensilla (CS) on insect limbs helps to adapt motor outputs to environmental conditions, but we are only beginning to reveal the neural control mechanisms that mediate these influences. We studied CS groups that affect control of the thoraco-coxal joint in the stick insect Carausius morosus by applying horizontal and vertical forces to the leg stump. Motor effects of ablation of CS groups were evaluated by recording extracellularly from protractor (ProCx) and retractor (RetCx) nerves. Extracellular recordings showed that the effects of stimulating the sensilla were consistent with their broad ranges of directional sensitivity: for example, RetCx firing in response to posterior bending could be reduced by ablating several groups of trochanteral CS, whereas ablation of tibial and femoral sensilla had little effect. In contrast, ProCx motor neuron activity upon anteriorly directed stimuli was affected mainly by ablating a single CS group (G2). Dye fills of trochanteral, femoral and tibial CS groups with fluorescent dyes revealed a common projection pattern with little group specificity. These findings support the idea that the influences of CS feedback are determined by the activities of pre-motor interneurons, facilitating fast and task-dependent adaptation to changing environmental conditions.