Recent
years
have
seen
a
surge
in
methods
to
track
and
analyze
animal
behavior.
Nevertheless,
tracking
individuals
closely
interacting,
group-living
organisms
remains
challenge.
Here,
we
present
anTraX,
an
algorithm
software
package
for
high-throughput
video
of
color-tagged
insects.
anTraX
combines
neural
network
classification
animals
with
novel
approach
representing
data
as
graph,
enabling
individual
even
cases
where
it
is
difficult
segment
from
one
another,
or
tags
are
obscured.
The
use
color
tags,
well-established
robust
method
marking
insects
groups,
relaxes
requirements
image
size
quality,
makes
the
broadly
applicable.
readily
integrated
into
existing
tools
automated
analysis
behavior
further
augment
its
output.
can
handle
large-scale
experiments
minimal
human
involvement,
allowing
researchers
simultaneously
monitor
many
social
groups
over
long
time
periods.
Journal of Experimental Biology,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
223(Suppl_1)
Published: Feb. 1, 2020
ABSTRACT
Many
of
the
major
biological
discoveries
20th
century
were
made
using
just
six
species:
Escherichia
coli
bacteria,
Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
and
Schizosaccharomyces
pombe
yeast,
Caenorhabditis
elegans
nematodes,
Drosophila
melanogaster
flies
Mus
musculus
mice.
Our
molecular
understanding
cell
division
cycle,
embryonic
development,
clocks
metabolism
all
obtained
through
genetic
analysis
these
species.
Yet
‘big
6’
did
not
start
out
as
model
organisms
(hereafter
‘model
organisms’),
so
how
they
mature
into
such
powerful
systems?
First,
are
abundant
human
commensals:
bacteria
in
our
gut,
yeast
beer
bread,
nematodes
compost
pile,
kitchen
mice
walls.
Because
this,
cheaply,
easily
rapidly
bred
laboratory
addition
amenable
to
analysis.
How
why
should
we
add
additional
species
this
roster?
We
argue
that
specialist
will
reveal
new
secrets
important
areas
biology
with
modern
technological
innovations
like
next-generation
sequencing
CRISPR-Cas9
genome
editing,
time
is
ripe
move
beyond
big
6.
In
review,
chart
a
10-step
path
goal,
own
experience
Aedes
aegypti
mosquito,
which
built
organism
for
neurobiology
one
decade.
Insights
deadly
disease
vector
require
work
mosquito
itself
rather
than
modeling
its
another
Journal of Experimental Biology,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
223(Suppl_1)
Published: Feb. 1, 2020
ABSTRACT
Animals
rely
on
their
chemosensory
system
to
discriminate
among
a
very
large
number
of
attractive
or
repulsive
chemical
cues
in
the
environment,
which
is
essential
respond
with
proper
action.
The
olfactory
sensory
systems
insects
share
significant
similarities
those
vertebrates,
although
they
also
exhibit
dramatic
differences,
such
as
molecular
nature
odorant
receptors
(ORs):
insect
ORs
function
heteromeric
ion
channels
common
Orco
subunit,
unlike
G-protein-coupled
found
vertebrates.
Remarkable
progress
has
recently
been
made
understanding
evolution,
development
and
receptor
neurons
(ORNs).
These
studies
have
uncovered
diversity
species,
including
eusocial
that
extensively
sensing
pheromones
for
social
communication.
However,
further
studies,
notably
functional
analyses,
are
needed
improve
our
origins
Orco–OR
system,
mechanisms
ORN
fate
determination,
extraordinary
behavioral
responses
cues.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
10(1)
Published: March 11, 2019
Abstract
Divergent
populations
across
different
environments
are
exposed
to
critical
sensory
information
related
locating
a
host
or
mate,
as
well
avoiding
predators
and
pathogens.
These
signals
generate
evolutionary
changes
in
neuroanatomy
behavior;
however,
few
studies
have
investigated
patterns
of
neural
architecture
that
occur
between
systems,
within
large
groups
closely-related
organisms.
Here
we
examine
62
species
the
genus
Drosophila
describe
an
inverse
resource
allocation
vision
olfaction,
which
consistently
observe
at
periphery,
brain,
during
larval
development.
This
variation
was
noted
entire
appears
represent
repeated,
independent
events,
where
one
modality
is
selected
for
expense
other.
Moreover,
provide
evidence
developmental
genetic
constraint
through
sharing
single
structure,
eye-antennal
imaginal
disc.
In
addition,
ecological
implications
visual
olfactory
bias,
including
potential
impact
on
host-navigation
courtship.
Current Biology,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
29(7), P. 1089 - 1099.e7
Published: March 14, 2019
Highlights•Genetic
reagents
target
homologous
neurons
in
multiple
Drosophila
species•Homologous
descending
drive
distinct
fly
songs
a
similar
social
context•Evolutionary
changes
downstream
of
the
cause
song
differences•Courtship
circuit
multifunctionality
may
facilitate
rapid
evolutionSummaryIt
is
unclear
where
nervous
system
evolutionary
tend
to
occur.
To
localize
source
neural
evolution
that
has
generated
divergent
behaviors,
we
developed
new
approach
label
and
functionally
manipulate
across
species.
We
examined
courtship
two
species
sing
types
localized
relevant
function
intrinsic
physiology
these
neurons.
This
change
causes
different
produce
motor
patterns
contexts.
Artificial
stimulation
drives
types,
suggesting
multifunctional
properties
circuits
types.
Neuron,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
109(7), P. 1084 - 1099
Published: Feb. 21, 2021
Neuroscientists
have
long
studied
species
with
convenient
biological
features
to
discover
how
behavior
emerges
from
conserved
molecular,
neural,
and
circuit
level
processes.
With
the
advent
of
new
tools,
viral
vectors
gene
editing
automated
behavioral
analyses,
there
has
been
a
recent
wave
interest
in
developing
new,
"nontraditional"
model
species.
Here,
we
advocate
for
complementary
approach
development,
that
is,
clade
as
way
integrate
an
evolutionary
comparative
neurobiological
experiments.
Capitalizing
on
natural
variation
investing
experimental
tools
clades
will
be
valuable
strategy
next
generation
neuroscience
discovery.
Open Biology,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
10(10)
Published: Oct. 1, 2020
Insects
thrive
in
diverse
ecological
niches
large
part
because
of
their
highly
sophisticated
olfactory
systems.
Over
the
last
two
decades,
a
major
focus
study
insect
olfaction
has
been
on
role
receptors
mediating
neuronal
responses
to
environmental
chemicals.
In
vivo
,
these
operate
specialized
structures,
called
sensilla,
which
comprise
neurons
and
non-neuronal
support
cells,
extracellular
lymph
fluid
precisely
shaped
cuticle.
While
sensilla
are
inherent
odour
sensing
insects,
we
only
just
beginning
understand
construction
function.
Here,
review
recent
work
that
illuminates
how
odour-evoked
activity
is
impacted
by
sensillar
morphology,
biochemistry,
accessory
signalling
molecules
physiological
crosstalk
between
cells.
These
advances
reveal
multi-layered
molecular
cellular
mechanisms
determine
selectivity,
sensitivity
dynamic
modulation
insects.
Journal of Neurogenetics,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
33(2), P. 75 - 89
Published: April 3, 2019
Egg-laying
behavior
is
one
of
the
most
important
aspects
female
behavior,
and
has
a
profound
impact
on
fitness
species.
As
such,
it
controlled
by
several
layers
regulation.
Here,
we
review
recent
advances
in
our
understanding
insect
neural
circuits
that
control
when,
where
how
to
lay
an
egg.
We
also
outline
outstanding
open
questions
about
egg-laying
decisions,
speculate
possible
underpinnings
can
drive
diversification
oviposition
behaviors
through
evolution.