[Optimal air flow directions for activating the giant neurons of the cercal system in the cricket, Gryllus domesticus].

Studies have been made of the directional sensitivity of the giant neurons in the abdominal nervous chain of the cricket during the effect of air flows and sound stimuli on the cercal system. It was found that the axis of sonic and air flow diagrams of the directional sensitivity for a given neuron are practically identical. On the basis of flow diagrams, in each of the connectives at the edge of terminal abdominal ganglion 4 giant neurons were identified which may form a system accounting for the reception of air flows of any directions approximating horizontal plane. It was found that 3 neurons from this system receive the main bulk of excitatory impulsation from the ipsilateral cercus, and only 1 of them--from the contralateral one. The data obtained are discussed in relation to morphological and physiological characteristics of the investigated group of giant neurons.