Responses of vibration-sensitive receptors in the interosseous region of the duck's hind limb

Abstract

1. Responses of receptors with fibres in the interosseous nerve of the duck's leg have been studied by recording unit discharges in filaments dissected from the sciatic nerve.2. Seventy-two of the ninety-four units examined served highly phasic, vibration-sensitive mechanoreceptors in the interosseous region interpreted as being Herbst corpuscles. Receptor types for most of the other units could not be determined, but some were slowly adapting mechanoreceptors.3. Rheobase threshold values for the most sensitive vibration-receptors were similar to those of mammalian Pacinian corpuscles.4. Threshold-frequency relationships for the vibration receptors showed a wider range of low frequency cut-off values, and a greater capacity to signal high frequencies, than is the case with Pacinian corpuscles.5. Fibres of the vibration-receptors had calculated diameters ranging from 5 to 10 mum and account for the bulk of the larger fibres in the interosseous nerve.6. It is suggested that Herbst corpuscles in the legs of birds might act as a warning device by detecting vibratory disturbances of the ground or other supporting surface.