Revisiting the anatomy of the central nervous system of a hemimetabolous model insect species: the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum

KOLLMANN, M. ; MINOLI, S.A.; BONHOMME, J. ; HOMBERG, U. ; SCHACHTNER, J. ; TAGU, D. ; ANTON, S.

CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Año: 2011 vol. 343 p. 343 - 355

0302-766X

Aphids show a marked phenotypic plasticity,producing asexual or sexual and winged or winglessmorphs depending on environmental conditions and season.We describe here the general structure of the brain ofvarious morphs of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Thisis the first detailed anatomical study of the central nervoussystem of an aphid by immunocytochemistry (synapsin,serotonin, and several neuropeptides), ethyl-gallate staining,confocal laser scanning microscopy, and threedimensionalreconstructions. The study has revealed welldevelopedoptic lobes composed of lamina, medulla, andlobula complex. Ocelli are only present in males andwinged parthenogenetic females. The central complex iswell-defined, with a central body divided into two parts, aprotocerebral bridge, and affiliated lateral accessory lobes.The mushroom bodies are ill-defined, lacking calyces, andonly being visualized by using an antiserum against theneuropeptide orcokinin. The antennal lobes contain poorlydelineated glomeruli but can be clearly visualized byperforming antennal backfills. On the basis of our detaileddescription of the brain of winged and wingless parthenogeneticA. pisum females, an anatomical map is nowavailable that should improve our knowledge of the waythat these structures are involved in the regulation ofphenotypic plasticity.