Work

Eight pairs of descending visual neurons in the dragonfly give wing motor centers accurate population vector of prey direction

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Intercepting a moving object requires prediction of its future location. This complex task has been solved by dragonflies, who intercept their prey in midair with a 95% success rate. In this study, we show that a group of 16 neurons, called target-selective descending neurons (TSDNs), code a population vector that reflects the direction of the target with high accuracy and reliability across 360°. The TSDN spatial (receptive field) and temporal (latency) properties matched the area of the retina where the prey is focused and the reaction time, respectively, during predatory flights. The directional tuning curves and morphological traits (3D tracings) for each TSDN type were consistent among animals, but spike rates were not. Our results emphasize that a successful neural circuit for target tracking and interception can be achieved with few neurons and that in dragonflies this information is relayed from the brain to the wing motor centers in population vector form.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1210489109

Authors: Paloma T. Gonzalez-Bellido, Hanchuan Peng, Jinzhu Yang, Apostolos P. Georgopoulos, Robert M. Olberg

Institutions: Marine Biological Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, University of Minnesota, Union College

Language: English

Topic: Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Award: G1523888516