Active auditory mechanics in mosquitoes.

AUTOR(ES)

Göpfert, M C

RESUMO

In humans and other vertebrates, hearing is improved by active contractile properties of hair cells. Comparable active auditory mechanics is now demonstrated in insects. In mosquitoes, Johnston's organ transduces sound-induced vibrations of the antennal flagellum. A non-muscular 'motor' activity enhances the sensitivity and tuning of the flagellar mechanical response in physiologically intact animals. This motor is capable of driving the flagellum autonomously, amplifying sound-induced vibrations at specific frequencies and intensities. Motor-related electrical activity of Johnston's organ strongly suggests that mosquito hearing is improved by mechanoreceptor motility.

Documentos Relacionados

• Screening of Bacillus thuringiensis strains effective against mosquitoes.
• Murine complement reduces infectivity of Plasmodium yoelii to mosquitoes.
• Toxicity of Bacillus sphaericus crystal toxin to adult mosquitoes.
• Oral toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis to adult mosquitoes.
• Molecularly engineered resistance to California serogroup virus replication in mosquito cells and mosquitoes.