| Revision as of 16:16, 8 June 2006 editAlexei Kouprianov (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users693 edits + antennomeres← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:42, 9 June 2006 edit undoDyanega (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers37,023 edits added arista and funicle and annuliNext edit → | ||
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| ]s display a wide variety of antennal shapes.]] | ]s display a wide variety of antennal shapes.]] | ||
| '''Antennae''' (singular '''antenna''') are paired ]s connected to the front-most ] of ]s. In ]s, they are ] and present on the first two segments of the head, with the smaller pair known as ''antennules''. All other arthropod groups, except ] and ]s which have none, have a single, ] pair of antennae. | '''Antennae''' (singular '''antenna''') are paired ]s connected to the front-most ] of ]s. In ]s, they are ] and present on the first two segments of the head, with the smaller pair known as '''antennules'''. All other arthropod groups, except ] and ]s which have none, have a single, ] pair of antennae. | ||
| Antennae are jointed, and generally extend forward from the head. They are ]s, although the exact nature of what they sense and how they sense it is not |
Antennae are jointed, at least at the base, and generally extend forward from the head. They are ]s, although the exact nature of what they sense and how they sense it is not the same in all groups, nor always clear. Functions may variously include sensing ], air motion, heat, vibration (sound), and especially ] (smell or taste). | ||
| In ]s, ]s on the antennae bind to ] molecules, including ]s. The ] that possess these receptors signal this binding by sending ]s down their ]s to the ] in the ]. From there, neurons in the antennal lobes connect to ] that identify the odour. | In ]s, ]s on the antennae bind to ] molecules, including ]s. The ]s that possess these receptors signal this binding by sending ]s down their ]s to the ] in the ]. From there, neurons in the antennal lobes connect to ] that identify the odour. | ||
| The three basic segments of insect |
The three basic segments of the typical insect antenna are the '''scape''' (base), the '''pedicel''' (stem), and finally the '''flagellum''', which often comprises many units known as '''flagellomeres''' (the number of flagellomeres can vary greatly, and is often of diagnostic importance). True flagellomeres have a membranous articulation between them, but in many insects, especially the more primitive groups, the flagellum is entirely or partially composed of a flexible series of small '''annuli''', which are not true flagellomeres. In many beetles and in the ], the apical flagellomeres form a '''club''', and the collective term for the segments between the club and the antennal base is the '''funicle''' (or '''funiculus'''); for traditional reasons, in beetles it is the segments between the club and the scape, but in wasps, it is the segments between the club and the pedicel. In the groups with more uniform antennae (e. g. ]), all segments are called '''antennomeres'''. Some groups have a simple or variously modified apical or subapical bristle called an '''arista''' (this may be especially well-developed in various ]). | ||
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Revision as of 00:42, 9 June 2006
For other uses, see Antenna.
Antennae (singular antenna) are paired appendages connected to the front-most segments of arthropods. In crustaceans, they are biramous and present on the first two segments of the head, with the smaller pair known as antennules. All other arthropod groups, except chelicerates and proturans which have none, have a single, uniramous pair of antennae.
Antennae are jointed, at least at the base, and generally extend forward from the head. They are sensory organs, although the exact nature of what they sense and how they sense it is not the same in all groups, nor always clear. Functions may variously include sensing touch, air motion, heat, vibration (sound), and especially olfaction (smell or taste).
In insects, olfactory receptors on the antennae bind to odour molecules, including pheromones. The neurons that possess these receptors signal this binding by sending action potentials down their axons to the antennal lobe in the brain. From there, neurons in the antennal lobes connect to mushroom bodies that identify the odour.
The three basic segments of the typical insect antenna are the scape (base), the pedicel (stem), and finally the flagellum, which often comprises many units known as flagellomeres (the number of flagellomeres can vary greatly, and is often of diagnostic importance). True flagellomeres have a membranous articulation between them, but in many insects, especially the more primitive groups, the flagellum is entirely or partially composed of a flexible series of small annuli, which are not true flagellomeres. In many beetles and in the chalicidoid wasps, the apical flagellomeres form a club, and the collective term for the segments between the club and the antennal base is the funicle (or funiculus); for traditional reasons, in beetles it is the segments between the club and the scape, but in wasps, it is the segments between the club and the pedicel. In the groups with more uniform antennae (e. g. Diplopoda), all segments are called antennomeres. Some groups have a simple or variously modified apical or subapical bristle called an arista (this may be especially well-developed in various Diptera).
