SPDL, SPDR

Type: Sensory neuron (putative chemosensory), motor neuron
Connectivity:
- In WormWiring: SPDLm, SPDRm
In Wormbase: SPD, SPDL, SPDR
Lineage: B.alpapaa, B.arpapaa
Location: Cloacal ganglia (L), cloacal ganglia (R)
Description: Spicule-associated male sensory neuron. One of 3 bilateral pairs of male specific neurons (SPCL/R, SPDL/R, SPVL/R) that innervate the the left and right male copulatory spicules. SPDL/R are cilated neurons that open to the outside at the spicule tip (Sulston et al., 1980).

The processes of SPD neurons run down the length of the spicule shaft to the sensory opening at the end
Neurotransmitter/ Neuropeptide:
Innexin expression:
Receptor expression:
Function:
- Ablation of SPD neurons reduces the efficiency of spicule penetration (Liu and Sternberg, 1995; Garcia et al., 2001; see Spicule Muscle Contraction Movie)
- SPD and SPV neurons are proposed to sense vulval pheromones and coordinate sperm release into the vulva (LeBoeuf et al., 2014; Schindleman et al., 2006; Liu and Sternberg, 1995)
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Last Revision: July 26, 2025
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