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Neuronal generation of singing in a cicada

Nature volume 270, pages 243–245 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

CICADA song may be regarded as a simple rhythmical behaviour because it is highly stereotyped and involves regular spikes in a single pair of motoneurones. It was the subject of an early study of intracellular activity in central neurones1. Here I show that the neuronal generator for song of the Australian bladder cicada, Cystosoma saundersii (Westw.) is continually active at twice the frequency of motoneurone spikes and, in common with other rhythmical behaviours in arthropods2–4, involves non-spiking interneurones.

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Author notes

  1. P. J. SIMMONS

    Present address: Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

    P. J. SIMMONS

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  1. P. J. SIMMONS
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SIMMONS, P. Neuronal generation of singing in a cicada. Nature 270, 243–245 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270243a0

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