Modulation of the reflex cardiac response in Protophormia terraenovae to gustatory stimulation

TOMASSINI BARBAROSSA, IOLE;MURONI, PATRIZIA;LISCIA, ANNA MARIA;CRNJAR, ROBERTO MASSIMO;Angioy A. M.

1992-01-01

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Abstract

The results of the present study demonstrate that series of gustatory stimulations can induce shortening of the cardiac cycle in the blowfly, Protophormia terraenovae. This effect is due to a decrease in duration of one of the two phases which compose the cardiac cycle, that is the Fast-phase. No changes in action potential frequency of either phase were evoked by stimulation. The data are discussed in terms of sensory-induced changes in hemolymph circulation, which may function to optimize the insect's performance with respect to a state of alertness.