Impact of central complex lesions on innate and learnt visual navigation in ants

Journal of Comparative Physiology A, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 209(4), С. 737 - 746

Опубликована: Фев. 15, 2023

Abstract Wood ants are excellent navigators, using a combination of innate and learnt navigational strategies to travel between their nest feeding sites. Visual navigation in has been studied extensively, however, we have little direct evidence for the underlying neural mechanisms. Here, perform lateralized mechanical lesions central complex (CX) wood ants, midline structure known allow an insect keep track direction sensory cues relative its own orientation control movement. We lesioned two groups observed behaviour arena with large visual landmark present. The first group were naïve when intact such show clear attraction conspicuous landmark. second trained aim food location side general heading towards cue was not altered by lesions, but adjacent position affected. Thus, CX had specific impact on guidance. also that lateralised fine details turning spending less time ipsilateral lesion. results confirm role turn highlight important implementation behaviours rely information from other brain regions.

Язык: Английский

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Comparative morphology of serotonin‐immunoreactive neurons innervating the central complex in the brain of dicondylian insects

The Journal of Comparative Neurology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 531(14), С. 1482 - 1508

Опубликована: Июль 21, 2023

Abstract Serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine) acts as a widespread neuromodulator in the nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates. In insects, it promotes feeding, enhances olfactory sensitivity, modulates aggressive behavior, and, central complex Drosophila , serves role sleep homeostasis. addition to sleep‐wake regulation, has prominent spatial orientation, goal‐directed locomotion, navigation vector memory. To further understand serotonergic signaling this brain area, we analyzed distribution identity serotonin‐immunoreactive neurons across wide range insect species. While one bilateral pair tangential innervating body was present all species studied, second type labeled neopterans but not dragonflies firebrats. Both cell types show conserved major fiber trajectories taxon‐specific differences dendritic targets outside axonal terminals body, noduli, lateral accessory lobes. addition, numerous protocerebral bridge were studied polyneopteran except for Phasmatodea, Holometabola. Lepidoptera Diptera showed additional labeling two pairs third type. The presence serotonin systems columnar apparently evolved independently desert locusts. data suggest distinct evolutionary changes composition serotonin‐immunolabeled provides promising basis phylogenetic study wider arthropod

Язык: Английский

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Converting an allocentric goal into an egocentric steering signal

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2022, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Ноя. 13, 2022

Abstract Neuronal signals relevant for spatial navigation have been described in many species 1–12 , however, a circuit-level understanding of how such interact to guide behaviour is lacking. Here we characterize neuronal circuit the Drosophila central complex that compares internally generated estimates fly’s heading and goal angles––both encoded world-centred, or allocentric, coordinates––to generate body-centred, egocentric, steering signal. Past work has argued activity EPG cells, “compass neurons” 2 represents moment-to-moment angular orientation, angle during 13 . An animal’s angle, not always aligned with its i.e., allocentric direction which it wishes progress forward. We describe second set neurons brain, FC2 cells 14 correlates angle. Furthermore, focal optogenetic activation induces flies orient along experimenter-defined directions as they walk connect monosynaptically third class, PFL3 14,15 found individual show conjunctive, spike-rate tuning both angles goal-directed navigation. Informed by anatomy physiology these three cell classes, develop formal model this can compare heading- goal-angles build an egocentric signal output terminals. Quantitative analyses manipulations support model. The biological here reveals two, population-level, are compared brain produce appropriate motor system.

Язык: Английский

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Weighting of Celestial and Terrestrial Cues in the Monarch Butterfly Central Complex

Frontiers in Neural Circuits, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 16

Опубликована: Июнь 30, 2022

Monarch butterflies rely on external cues for orientation during their annual long-distance migration from Northern US and Canada to Central Mexico. These can be celestial cues, such as the sun or polarized light, which are processed in a brain region termed central complex (CX). Previous research typically focused how individual simulated encoded butterfly's CX. However, nature, perceive several at same time need integrate them effectively use compound of all orientation. In addition, recent behavioral study revealed that monarch terrestrial panoramic skyline, combination with maintain directed flight course. How CX encodes they weighted is still unknown. Here, we examined input neurons CX, TL neurons, combine information. While recording intracellularly presented stimulus light well scene simultaneously. Our results show integrated linearly these cells, while skyline did not always follow linear integration action potential rates. Interestingly, were invariantly between dynamically when both stimuli simultaneously presented. Taken together, this dynamic weighting may allow flexibly set cue preference navigation.

Язык: Английский

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A perspective on neuroethology: what the past teaches us about the future of neuroethology

Journal of Comparative Physiology A, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 210(2), С. 325 - 346

Опубликована: Фев. 27, 2024

Abstract For 100 years, the Journal of Comparative Physiology-A has significantly supported research in field neuroethology. The celebration journal’s centennial is a great time point to appreciate recent progress neuroethology and discuss possible avenues field. Animal behavior main source inspiration for neuroethologists. This illustrated by huge diversity investigated behaviors species. To explain at mechanistic level, neuroethologists combine neuroscientific approaches with sophisticated behavioral analysis. rapid technological neuroscience makes highly dynamic exciting research. summarize scientific neuroethology, I went through all abstracts last six International Congresses Neuroethology (ICNs 2010–2022) categorized them based on sensory modalities, experimental model species, topics. highlights gives us perspective field’s future. At end, highlight three topics that may, among others, influence future hope sharing my roots may inspire other scientists follow neuroethological approaches.

Язык: Английский

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