Functional recovery from lesions in the escape system of the cockroach - I. Behavioral recovery

1. Cockroaches with their left cercus ablated were tested for their turning responses to wind stimuli. 2. One day after the ablation, adult and nymphal cockroaches responded abnormally to wind from the left, making a high proportion of turns to the left (Figs. 3B, 4B). 3. Thirty days after ablation, the turning responses were partially corrected. The recovered responses of nymphal cockroaches were more correct than those of adults (Figs. 3C, 4C, 5). 4. Non-cercal receptors did not appear to contribute to the recovery. Rather, receptors on the intact cercus appeared to be the sole providers of the directional information. 5. Environmental conditions during the recovery period can affect the extent of behavioral recovery (Fig. 7). 6. Learning through trial and error during a testing session does not contribute to the correctness of the turns (Fig. 8). 7. Similarities between the recovery in the escape system of the cockroach and behavioral recovery in higher vertebrates are discussed. Also discussed are some general mechanisms that could account for recovery in the cockroach.