Neural representation of goal direction in the monarch butterfly brain

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(1)

Опубликована: Сен. 20, 2023

Neural processing of a desired moving direction requires the continuous comparison between current heading and goal direction. While neural basis underlying is well-studied, coding remains unclear in insects. Here, we used tetrode recordings tethered flying monarch butterflies to unravel how represented insect brain. recording, maintained robust directions relative virtual sun. By resetting their directions, found neurons whose spatial tuning was tightly linked directions. Importantly, unaffected when changed after compass perturbations, showing that these specifically encode Overall, here discovered invertebrate goal-direction share functional similarities cells reported mammals. Our results give insights into evolutionarily conserved principles goal-directed orientation animals.

Язык: Английский

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Programmable LED Array for Evaluating Artificial Light Sources to Improve Insect Trapping

Insects, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(2), С. 170 - 170

Опубликована: Фев. 6, 2025

We developed a programmable LED array to evaluate different wavelength illumination (UV, blue, green, yellow, amber, and red) modulation schemes improve catch rates in insect traps. The device can communicate through Bluetooth® with simple Android app update the operational settings facilitate field experiments, including which LEDs operate, when operate (always, night only, or predefined intervals after sunset and/or before sunrise), change intensities/modulation during operation. used devices wavelengths catches traps for coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB; Oryctes Linnaeus) field, as well lighting preferences of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). In both cases, insects were most strongly attracted constant UV illumination. However, CRB avoided any “visible” placed panels traps, while ACP was moderately amber. For CRB, cups at bottom panel reduced compared higher consistent observations dorsal orientation towards light observed by other researchers nocturnal beetles moths. Finally, we provide some hardware design recommendations energy efficiency similar more widespread deployment controlling effects intensity minimal pulsing, our suggest may result avoiding

Язык: Английский

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Varieties of visual navigation in insects

Animal Cognition, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 26(1), С. 319 - 342

Опубликована: Ноя. 28, 2022

Abstract The behaviours and cognitive mechanisms animals use to orient, navigate, remember spatial locations exemplify how abilities have evolved suit a number of different mobile lifestyles habitats. While cognition observed in vertebrates has been well characterised recent decades, no less interest are the great strides that also made characterizing understanding behavioural basis orientation navigation invertebrate models particular insects. Insects known exhibit remarkable able successfully migrate over long distances or pinpoint relying on multiple navigational strategies similar those found vertebrate models—all while operating under constraint relatively limited neural architectures. Insect systems often tailored each species’ ecology, yet common mechanistic principles can be repeatedly. Of these, reliance visual cues is across wide insect groups. In this review, we characterise some used by insects solve problems, including short-distances, migratory heading maintenance distances, homing locations. We describe research using examples from few well-studied species illustrate they interact with non-visual strategies.

Язык: Английский

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Evolution of neural circuitry and cognition

Biology Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 20(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Neural circuits govern the interface between external environment, internal cues and outwardly directed behaviours. To process multiple environmental stimuli integrate these with state requires considerable neural computation. Expansion in network size, most readily represented by whole brain has historically been linked to behavioural complexity, or predominance of cognitive Yet, it is largely unclear which aspects circuit variation impact performance. A key question field evolutionary neurobiology therefore how evolve allow improved performance innovation. We discuss this first exploring volumetric changes areas reflect actual change. explore three major axes evolution-replication, restructuring reconditioning cells circuits-and could relate broader phenotypes variation. This discussion touches on relevant uses limitations volumetrics, while advocating a more circuit-based view cognition. then use framework showcase an example from insect brain, multi-sensory integration processing that shared mushroom bodies central complex. end identifying future trends research area, promise advance neurobiology.

Язык: Английский

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The influence of stimulus history on directional coding in the monarch butterfly brain

Journal of Comparative Physiology A, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 209(4), С. 663 - 677

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2023

Abstract The central complex is a brain region in the insect that houses neural network specialized to encode directional information. Directional coding has traditionally been investigated with compass cues revolve full rotations and at constant angular velocities around insect’s head. However, these stimulus conditions do not fully simulate an sensory perception of during navigation. In nature, flight characterized by abrupt changes moving direction as well velocity. influence such varying cue dynamics on remains unclear. We performed long-term tetrode recordings from monarch butterflies study how neurons respond different directions. As derive information sun migration, we measured response virtual sun. was either presented spot appeared random positions or rotated butterfly By specifically manipulating velocity trajectory, dissociated coding. While substantially affected tuning directedness, trajectory influenced shape curve. Taken together, our results suggest flexibly adjusts its current ensuring precise even under highly demanding rapid maneuvers.

Язык: Английский

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A historical perspective on the insect central complex: Anatomy, development, and function

Molecular Psychology Brain Behavior and Society, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 2, С. 19 - 19

Опубликована: Май 19, 2025

The central complex (CX), a remarkable brain region at the core of insect behaviors, has been subject extensive research for decades. In this review, we offer comprehensive historical perspective on anatomy, development, and function CX. The CX consists discrete highly structured neuropils found center brain, which are conserved across insects. developmental processes that shape themselves early research, had shown to receive visual information control motor function. Using increasingly advanced methods throughout years, it become clear is involved in high-level behavioral control, such as vector navigation goal directed orientation. Its numerical simplicity presents rare opportunity study structure-function relationships small brains, gain insights into evolutionary neurobiology, develop novel neuromorphic technologies inspired by brains. Since spatial tasks, uniquely suited detailed understanding computations required these level neural circuits.

Язык: Английский

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The neurobiology of the Monarch butterfly compass

Current Opinion in Insect Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 60, С. 101109 - 101109

Опубликована: Сен. 1, 2023

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have become a superb model system to unravel how the tiny insect brain controls an impressive navigation behavior, such as long-distance migration. Moreover, ability compare neural substrate between migratory and non-migratory provides us with attractive specifically study is adapted for We here review our current progress on of spatial orientation in their spectacular annual migration might be controlled by brain. also discuss open research questions, answers which will provide important missing pieces obtain full picture – from perception cues control

Язык: Английский

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Monarch butterflies memorize the spatial location of a food source

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 290(2013)

Опубликована: Дек. 20, 2023

Spatial memory helps animals to navigate familiar environments. In insects, spatial has extensively been studied in central place foragers such as ants and bees. However, if butterflies memorize a location remains unclear. Here, we conducted behavioural experiments test whether monarch (Danaus plexippus) can remember retrieve the of food source. We placed several visually identical feeders flight cage, with only one feeder providing sucrose solution. Across multiple days, individual predominantly visited rewarding feeder. Next, displaced salient landmark close which visual cue used relocate While occasional displacements were ignored by did not affect their decisions, systematic displacement both demonstrated that associated feeder's position. Altogether, show consolidate context foraging.

Язык: Английский

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Polarization Sensitivity in Butterflies

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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A historical perspective on the insect central complex: Anatomy, development, and function

Molecular Psychology Brain Behavior and Society, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 2, С. 19 - 19

Опубликована: Ноя. 4, 2024

The central complex (CX), a remarkable brain region at the core of insect behaviors, has been subject extensive research for decades. In this review, we offer comprehensive historical perspective on anatomy, development, and function CX. The CX consists discrete highly structured neuropils found center brain, which are conserved across insects arthropods. developmental processes that shape themselves insects. early research, had shown to receive visual information control motor function. Using increasingly advanced methods throughout years, it become clear is involved in high-level behavioral control, such as vector navigation goal directed orientation. Its numerical simplicity presents rare opportunity study structure-function relationships small brains, gain insights into evolutionary neurobiology, develop novel neuromorphic technologies inspired by brains. Since spatial tasks, uniquely suited detailed understanding computations required these level neural circuits.

Язык: Английский

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