FB2026_03 , released September 17, 2026
CV Term Report
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Term aristal sensillum ID (Ontology) FBbt:00004185 (Fly Anatomy)
Definition Sensillum of the arista. There are three of these per arista, each consisting of a pair of sensory neurons surrounded by 2 sheath cells. They project into the lymph space of the arista core, where they float freely - unattached to the epidermis. These projections consist of specialized dendrites surrounded throughout their length by sheath cells and distally by an electron dense dendritic sheath. The three projections terminate at different points along the shaft.[ FlyBase:FBrf0049408 FlyBase:FBrf0088919 ]
Also Known As"ar" ; "aristal sense organ"
CommentFoelix et al., 1989, suggest that the morphology of the highly lamellated neurons found in these sensilla is consistent with a thermosensory function based on the similarity of this morphology to that of thermosensory neurons in the antennae of other insects. However, Sayeed and Benzer, 1996, show that surgical removal of the arista has no effect on the temperature preference of flies, but it does eliminate the preference of flies for dry vs moist air, suggesting a hygrosensory function.
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 aristal sensillum (all annotations which use CV term, excluding "NOT" statements)
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segment of antenna
 |__arista____________________
adult antennal sense organ    |
 |__adult antennal sensillum__|
adult head sensillum          |
 |__adult antennal sensillum__|
                              aristal sensillum  2 rec.
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Is a adult antennal sensillum
Part of arista
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