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Bidell D, Feige ND, Triphan T, Müller C, Pauls D, Helfrich-Förster C, Selcho M. Photoreceptors for immediate effects of light on circadian behavior. iScience 2024; 27:109819. [PMID: 38770135 PMCID: PMC11103378 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals need to sharpen their behavioral output in order to adapt to a variable environment. Hereby, light is one of the most pivotal environmental signals and thus behavioral plasticity in response to light can be observed in diurnal animals, including humans. Furthermore, light is the main entraining signal of the clock, yet immediate effects of light enhance or overwrite circadian output and thereby mask circadian behavior. In Drosophila, such masking effects are most evident as a lights-on response in two behavioral rhythms - the emergence of the adult insect from the pupa, called eclosion, and the diurnal rhythm of locomotor activity. Here, we show that the immediate effect of light on eclosion depends solely on R8 photoreceptors of the eyes. In contrast, the increase in activity by light at night is triggered by different cells and organs that seem to compensate for the loss of each other, potentially to ensure behavioral plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bidell
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Natalie-Danielle Feige
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tilman Triphan
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Müller
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dennis Pauls
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Mareike Selcho
- Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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2
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Wakita D, Shibasaki H, Kinoshita M, Arikawa K. Morphology and spectral sensitivity of long visual fibers and lamina monopolar cells in the butterfly Papilio xuthus. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25579. [PMID: 38204156 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Extensive analysis of the flower-visiting behavior of a butterfly, Papilio xuthus, has indicated complex interaction between chromatic, achromatic, and motion cues. Their eyes are spectrally rich with six classes of photoreceptors, respectively sensitive in the ultraviolet, violet, blue, green, red, and broad-band wavelength regions. Here, we studied the anatomy and physiology of photoreceptors and second-order neurons of P. xuthus, focusing on their spectral sensitivities and projection terminals to address where the early visual integration takes place. We thus found the ultraviolet, violet, and blue photoreceptors and all second-order neurons terminate in the distal region of the second optic ganglion, the medulla. We identified five types of second-order neurons based on the arborization in the first optic ganglion, the lamina, and the shape of the medulla terminals. Their spectral sensitivity is independent of the morphological types but reflects the combination of pre-synaptic photoreceptors. The results indicate that the distal medulla is the most plausible region for early visual integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Wakita
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Shibasaki
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| | - Michiyo Kinoshita
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
| | - Kentaro Arikawa
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, SOKENDAI, Hayama, Japan
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3
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Longden KD, Rogers EM, Nern A, Dionne H, Reiser MB. Different spectral sensitivities of ON- and OFF-motion pathways enhance the detection of approaching color objects in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7693. [PMID: 38001097 PMCID: PMC10673857 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43566-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Color and motion are used by many species to identify salient objects. They are processed largely independently, but color contributes to motion processing in humans, for example, enabling moving colored objects to be detected when their luminance matches the background. Here, we demonstrate an unexpected, additional contribution of color to motion vision in Drosophila. We show that behavioral ON-motion responses are more sensitive to UV than for OFF-motion, and we identify cellular pathways connecting UV-sensitive R7 photoreceptors to ON and OFF-motion-sensitive T4 and T5 cells, using neurogenetics and calcium imaging. Remarkably, this contribution of color circuitry to motion vision enhances the detection of approaching UV discs, but not green discs with the same chromatic contrast, and we show how this could generalize for systems with ON- and OFF-motion pathways. Our results provide a computational and circuit basis for how color enhances motion vision to favor the detection of saliently colored objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit D Longden
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA.
| | - Edward M Rogers
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA
| | - Aljoscha Nern
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA
| | - Heather Dionne
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA
| | - Michael B Reiser
- HHMI Janelia Research Campus, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA.
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4
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Mabuchi Y, Cui X, Xie L, Kim H, Jiang T, Yapici N. Visual feedback neurons fine-tune Drosophila male courtship via GABA-mediated inhibition. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3896-3910.e7. [PMID: 37673068 PMCID: PMC10529139 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Many species of animals use vision to regulate their social behaviors. However, the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying visually guided social interactions remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the Drosophila ortholog of the human GABAA-receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) is required in a class of visual feedback neurons, lamina tangential (Lat) cells, to fine-tune male courtship. GABARAP is a ubiquitin-like protein that maintains cell-surface levels of GABAA receptors. We demonstrate that knocking down GABARAP or GABAAreceptors in Lat neurons or hyperactivating them induces male courtship toward other males. Inhibiting Lat neurons, on the other hand, delays copulation by impairing the ability of males to follow females. Remarkably, the fly GABARAP protein and its human ortholog share a strong sequence identity, and the fly GABARAP function in Lat neurons can be rescued by its human ortholog. Using in vivo two-photon imaging and optogenetics, we reveal that Lat neurons are functionally connected to neural circuits that mediate visually guided courtship pursuits in males. Our work identifies a novel physiological function for GABARAP in regulating visually guided courtship pursuits in Drosophila males. Reduced GABAA signaling has been linked to social deficits observed in the autism spectrum and bipolar disorders. The functional similarity between the human and the fly GABARAP raises the possibility of a conserved role for this gene in regulating social behaviors across insects and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Mabuchi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xinyue Cui
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lily Xie
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Haein Kim
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Tianxing Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nilay Yapici
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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5
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Abstract
How neurons detect the direction of motion is a prime example of neural computation: Motion vision is found in the visual systems of virtually all sighted animals, it is important for survival, and it requires interesting computations with well-defined linear and nonlinear processing steps-yet the whole process is of moderate complexity. The genetic methods available in the fruit fly Drosophila and the charting of a connectome of its visual system have led to rapid progress and unprecedented detail in our understanding of how neurons compute the direction of motion in this organism. The picture that emerged incorporates not only the identity, morphology, and synaptic connectivity of each neuron involved but also its neurotransmitters, its receptors, and their subcellular localization. Together with the neurons' membrane potential responses to visual stimulation, this information provides the basis for a biophysically realistic model of the circuit that computes the direction of visual motion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Borst
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany; ,
| | - Lukas N Groschner
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany; ,
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6
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Ueda A, Berg A, Khan T, Ruzicka M, Li S, Cramer E, Iyengar A, Wu CF. Intense light unleashes male-male courtship behaviour in wild-type Drosophila. Open Biol 2023; 13:220233. [PMID: 37463658 PMCID: PMC10353890 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila courtship studies have elucidated several principles of the neurogenetic organization of complex behaviour. Through an integration across sensory modalities, males perform stereotypic patterns of chasing, courtship song production and copulation attempts. Here we report a serendipitous finding that intense light not only enhances courtship toward female targets but also triggers unexpected courtship behaviours among male flies. Strikingly, in wild-type male-only chambers, we observed extreme behavioural manifestations, such as 'chaining' and 'wheeling', resembling previously reported male-male courtship behaviours in fruitless mutants and in transformants with ectopic mini-white+ overexpression. This male-male courtship was greatly diminished in a variety of visual system mutants, including disrupted phototransduction (norpA), eliminated eye-colour screening pigments (white), or deletion of the R7 photoreceptor cells (sevenless). However, light-induced courtship was unhampered in wing-cut flies, despite their inability to produce courtship song, a major acoustic signal during courtship. Unexpectedly the olfactory mutants orco and sbl displayed unrestrained male-male courtship. Particularly, orco males attained maximum courtship scores under either dim or intense light conditions. Together, our observations support the notion that the innate male courtship behaviour is restrained by olfactory cues under normal conditions but can be unleashed by strong visual stimulation in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ueda
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Abigayle Berg
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Tashmit Khan
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Shuwen Li
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Ellyn Cramer
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Atulya Iyengar
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Chun-Fang Wu
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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7
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Currier TA, Pang MM, Clandinin TR. Visual processing in the fly, from photoreceptors to behavior. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad064. [PMID: 37128740 PMCID: PMC10213501 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Originally a genetic model organism, the experimental use of Drosophila melanogaster has grown to include quantitative behavioral analyses, sophisticated perturbations of neuronal function, and detailed sensory physiology. A highlight of these developments can be seen in the context of vision, where pioneering studies have uncovered fundamental and generalizable principles of sensory processing. Here we begin with an overview of vision-guided behaviors and common methods for probing visual circuits. We then outline the anatomy and physiology of brain regions involved in visual processing, beginning at the sensory periphery and ending with descending motor control. Areas of focus include contrast and motion detection in the optic lobe, circuits for visual feature selectivity, computations in support of spatial navigation, and contextual associative learning. Finally, we look to the future of fly visual neuroscience and discuss promising topics for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Currier
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michelle M Pang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas R Clandinin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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8
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Mabuchi Y, Cui X, Xie L, Kim H, Jiang T, Yapici N. GABA-mediated inhibition in visual feedback neurons fine-tunes Drosophila male courtship. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525544. [PMID: 36747836 PMCID: PMC9900824 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Vision is critical for the regulation of mating behaviors in many species. Here, we discovered that the Drosophila ortholog of human GABA A -receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) is required to fine-tune male courtship by modulating the activity of visual feedback neurons, lamina tangential cells (Lat). GABARAP is a ubiquitin-like protein that regulates cell-surface levels of GABA A receptors. Knocking down GABARAP or GABA A receptors in Lat neurons or hyperactivating them induces male courtship toward other males. Inhibiting Lat neurons, on the other hand, delays copulation by impairing the ability of males to follow females. Remarkably, the human ortholog of Drosophila GABARAP restores function in Lat neurons. Using in vivo two-photon imaging and optogenetics, we show that Lat neurons are functionally connected to neural circuits that mediate visually-guided courtship pursuits in males. Our work reveals a novel physiological role for GABARAP in fine-tuning the activity of a visual circuit that tracks a mating partner during courtship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Mabuchi
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Xinyue Cui
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Lily Xie
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Haein Kim
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Tianxing Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nilay Yapici
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA
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9
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Yeung K, Bollepogu Raja KK, Shim YK, Li Y, Chen R, Mardon G. Single cell RNA sequencing of the adult Drosophila eye reveals distinct clusters and novel marker genes for all major cell types. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1370. [PMID: 36517671 PMCID: PMC9751288 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult Drosophila eye is a powerful model system for phototransduction and neurodegeneration research. However, single cell resolution transcriptomic data are lacking for this tissue. We present single cell RNA-seq data on 1-day male and female, 3-day and 7-day old male adult eyes, covering early to mature adult eyes. All major cell types, including photoreceptors, cone and pigment cells in the adult eye were captured and identified. Our data sets identified novel cell type specific marker genes, some of which were validated in vivo. R7 and R8 photoreceptors form clusters that reflect their specific Rhodopsin expression and the specific Rhodopsin expression by each R7 and R8 cluster is the major determinant to their clustering. The transcriptomic data presented in this report will facilitate a deeper mechanistic understanding of the adult fly eye as a model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Yeung
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Komal Kumar Bollepogu Raja
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yoon-Kyung Shim
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Structural and Computation Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Structural and Computation Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Graeme Mardon
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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10
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Akiyama T, Uchiyama H, Yajima S, Arikawa K, Terai Y. Parallel evolution of opsin visual pigments in hawkmoths by tuning of spectral sensitivities during transition from a nocturnal to a diurnal ecology. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:285920. [PMID: 36408938 PMCID: PMC10112871 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Light environments differ dramatically between day and night. The transition between diurnal and nocturnal visual ecology has happened repeatedly throughout evolution in many species. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the evolution of vision in recent diurnal-nocturnal transition is poorly understood. Here, we focus on hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) to address this question by investigating five nocturnal and five diurnal species. We performed RNA-sequencing analysis and identified opsin genes corresponding to the ultraviolet (UV), short-wavelength (SW) and long-wavelength (LW)-absorbing visual pigments. We found no significant differences in the expression patterns of opsin genes between the nocturnal and diurnal species. We then constructed the phylogenetic trees of hawkmoth species and opsins. The diurnal lineages had emerged at least three times from the nocturnal ancestors. The evolutionary rates of amino acid substitutions in the three opsins differed between the nocturnal and diurnal species. We found an excess number of parallel amino acid substitutions in the opsins in three independent diurnal lineages. The numbers were significantly more than those inferred from neutral evolution, suggesting that positive selection acted on these parallel substitutions. Moreover, we predicted the visual pigment absorption spectra based on electrophysiologically determined spectral sensitivity in two nocturnal and two diurnal species belonging to different clades. In the diurnal species, the LW pigments shift 10 nm towards shorter wavelengths, and the SW pigments shift 10 nm in the opposite direction. Taken together, our results suggest that parallel evolution of opsins may have enhanced the colour discrimination properties of diurnal hawkmoths in ambient light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tokiho Akiyama
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan Village, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
| | - Hironobu Uchiyama
- NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Yajima
- NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan.,Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Kentaro Arikawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan Village, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
| | - Yohey Terai
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan Village, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
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11
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The diversity of invertebrate visual opsins spanning Protostomia, Deuterostomia, and Cnidaria. Dev Biol 2022; 492:187-199. [PMID: 36272560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Across eumetazoans, the ability to perceive and respond to visual stimuli is largely mediated by opsins, a family of proteins belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superclass. Lineage-specific gains and losses led to a striking diversity in the numbers, types, and spectral sensitivities conferred by visual opsin gene expression. Here, we review the diversity of visual opsins and differences in opsin gene expression from well-studied protostome, invertebrate deuterostome, and cnidarian groups. We discuss the functional significance of opsin expression differences and spectral tuning among lineages. In some cases, opsin evolution has been linked to the detection of relevant visual signals, including sexually selected color traits and host plant features. In other instances, variation in opsins has not been directly linked to functional or ecological differences. Overall, the array of opsin expression patterns and sensitivities across invertebrate lineages highlight the diversity of opsins in the eumetazoan ancestor and the labile nature of opsins over evolutionary time.
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12
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Lele AS, Fang Y, Anwar A, Raychowdhury A. Bio-mimetic high-speed target localization with fused frame and event vision for edge application. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1010302. [PMID: 36507348 PMCID: PMC9732385 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1010302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution has honed predatory skills in the natural world where localizing and intercepting fast-moving prey is required. The current generation of robotic systems mimics these biological systems using deep learning. High-speed processing of the camera frames using convolutional neural networks (CNN) (frame pipeline) on such constrained aerial edge-robots gets resource-limited. Adding more compute resources also eventually limits the throughput at the frame rate of the camera as frame-only traditional systems fail to capture the detailed temporal dynamics of the environment. Bio-inspired event cameras and spiking neural networks (SNN) provide an asynchronous sensor-processor pair (event pipeline) capturing the continuous temporal details of the scene for high-speed but lag in terms of accuracy. In this work, we propose a target localization system combining event-camera and SNN-based high-speed target estimation and frame-based camera and CNN-driven reliable object detection by fusing complementary spatio-temporal prowess of event and frame pipelines. One of our main contributions involves the design of an SNN filter that borrows from the neural mechanism for ego-motion cancelation in houseflies. It fuses the vestibular sensors with the vision to cancel the activity corresponding to the predator's self-motion. We also integrate the neuro-inspired multi-pipeline processing with task-optimized multi-neuronal pathway structure in primates and insects. The system is validated to outperform CNN-only processing using prey-predator drone simulations in realistic 3D virtual environments. The system is then demonstrated in a real-world multi-drone set-up with emulated event data. Subsequently, we use recorded actual sensory data from multi-camera and inertial measurement unit (IMU) assembly to show desired working while tolerating the realistic noise in vision and IMU sensors. We analyze the design space to identify optimal parameters for spiking neurons, CNN models, and for checking their effect on the performance metrics of the fused system. Finally, we map the throughput controlling SNN and fusion network on edge-compatible Zynq-7000 FPGA to show a potential 264 outputs per second even at constrained resource availability. This work may open new research directions by coupling multiple sensing and processing modalities inspired by discoveries in neuroscience to break fundamental trade-offs in frame-based computer vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Sanjay Lele
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yan Fang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kennesaw State University, Marietta, GA, United States
| | - Aqeel Anwar
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Arijit Raychowdhury
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
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13
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Céchetto C, Arikawa K, Kinoshita M. Motion-sensitive neurons activated by chromatic contrast in a butterfly visual system. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210277. [PMID: 36058242 PMCID: PMC9441237 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A pattern of two equally bright colours contains only chromatic contrast. Unlike in flies, such a pattern elicits strong optokinetic responses in the butterfly Papilio xuthus. To investigate the neural basis of chromatic motion vision, we performed single-cell electrophysiology. We found spiking neurons exhibiting direction-selective motion sensitivity in the second optic ganglion, the medulla. We analysed the response characteristics of these neurons using two-colour stripe patterns moving vertically. We systematically manipulated the intensities of the colours so that the set of presented patterns included an isoluminant condition for the butterfly. Moving patterns containing only chromatic contrast still elicited a response in the neurons. The neurons' sensitivity profile is similar to that of the behavioural responses. Post-recording dye injection revealed that the neurons have dendrites in the ventral lateral protocerebrum and axonal processes in the medulla, suggesting a feedback role. Presumably, the neurons contribute to subtracting wide-field motion to facilitate the detection of small moving targets. This article is part of the theme issue 'Understanding colour vision: molecular, physiological, neuronal and behavioural studies in arthropods'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Céchetto
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - Kentaro Arikawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - Michiyo Kinoshita
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Hayama 240-0193, Japan
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14
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Circuit analysis reveals a neural pathway for light avoidance in Drosophila larvae. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5274. [PMID: 36071059 PMCID: PMC9452580 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how neural circuits underlie behaviour is challenging even in the connectome era because it requires a combination of anatomical and functional analyses. This is exemplified in the circuit underlying the light avoidance behaviour displayed by Drosophila melanogaster larvae. While this behaviour is robust and the nervous system relatively simple, the circuit is only partially delineated with some contradictions among studies. Here, we devise trans-Tango MkII, an offshoot of the transsynaptic circuit tracing tool trans-Tango, and implement it in anatomical tracing together with functional analysis. We use neuronal inhibition to test necessity of particular neuronal types in light avoidance and selective neuronal activation to examine sufficiency in rescuing light avoidance deficiencies exhibited by photoreceptor mutants. Our studies reveal a four-order circuit for light avoidance connecting the light-detecting photoreceptors with a pair of neuroendocrine cells via two types of clock neurons. This approach can be readily expanded to studying other circuits. Studying neural circuits requires a multipronged approach. Here, the authors present a transsynaptic tracing tool in fruit fly larvae and combine it with neuronal inhibition and activation to study the circuit underlying light avoidance behaviour.
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15
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Yu L, Zhao J, Ma Z, Wang W, Yan S, Jin Y, Fang Y. Experimental Verification on Steering Flight of Honeybee by Electrical Stimulation. CYBORG AND BIONIC SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.34133/2022/9895837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The artificial locomotion control strategy is the fundamental technique to ensure the accomplishment of the preset assignments for cyborg insects. The existing research has recognized that the electrical stimulation applied to the optic lobes was an appropriate flight control strategy for small insects represented by honeybee. This control technique has been confirmed to be effective for honeybee flight initiation and cessation. However, its regulation effect on steering locomotion has not been fully verified. Here, we investigated the steering control effect of honeybee by applying electrical stimulation signals with different duty cycles and frequencies on the unilateral optic lobes and screened the stimulus parameters with the highest response successful rate. Moreover, we confirmed the effectiveness of steering control by verifying the presence of rotation torque on tethered honeybees and the body orientation change of crawling honeybees. Our study will contribute some reliable parameter references to the motion control of cyborg honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jieliang Zhao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhiyun Ma
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wenzhong Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shaoze Yan
- Division of Intelligent and Biomechanical Systems, State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yue Jin
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, 100193, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, 100193, China
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16
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Chen PJ, Li Y, Lee CH. Calcium Imaging of Neural Activity in Fly Photoreceptors. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2022; 2022:Pdb.top107800. [PMID: 35641092 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top107800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Functional imaging methodologies allow researchers to simultaneously monitor the neural activities of all single neurons in a population, and this ability has led to great advances in neuroscience research. Taking advantage of a genetically tractable model organism, functional imaging in Drosophila provides opportunities to probe scientific questions that were previously unanswerable by electrophysiological recordings. Here, we introduce comprehensive protocols for two-photon calcium imaging in fly visual neurons. We also discuss some challenges in applying optical imaging techniques to study visual systems and consider the best practices for making comparisons between different neuron groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ju Chen
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chi-Hon Lee
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, Republic of China
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17
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Supple JA, Varennes-Phillit L, Gajjar-Reid D, Cerkvenik U, Belušič G, Krapp HG. Generating spatiotemporal patterns of linearly polarised light at high frame rates for insect vision research. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275926. [PMID: 35708202 PMCID: PMC9339910 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Polarisation vision is commonplace among invertebrates; however, most experiments focus on determining behavioural and/or neurophysiological responses to static polarised light sources rather than moving patterns of polarised light. To address the latter, we designed a polarisation stimulation device based on superimposing polarised and non-polarised images from two projectors, which can display moving patterns at frame rates exceeding invertebrate flicker fusion frequencies. A linear polariser fitted to one projector enables moving patterns of polarised light to be displayed, whilst the other projector contributes arbitrary intensities of non-polarised light to yield moving patterns with a defined polarisation and intensity contrast. To test the device, we measured receptive fields of polarisation-sensitive Argynnis paphia butterfly photoreceptors for both non-polarised and polarised light. We then measured local motion sensitivities of the optic flow-sensitive lobula plate tangential cell H1 in Calliphora vicina blowflies under both polarised and non-polarised light, finding no polarisation sensitivity in this neuron. Summary: Design of a versatile visual stimulation device for presenting moving patterns of polarised light, and demonstration of its use to characterise polarisation sensitivity in butterfly photoreceptors and blowfly motion-sensitive interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Supple
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Royal School of Mines, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Léandre Varennes-Phillit
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Royal School of Mines, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dexter Gajjar-Reid
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Royal School of Mines, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Uroš Cerkvenik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Belušič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Holger G Krapp
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Royal School of Mines, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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18
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Kind E, Longden KD, Nern A, Zhao A, Sancer G, Flynn MA, Laughland CW, Gezahegn B, Ludwig HDF, Thomson AG, Obrusnik T, Alarcón PG, Dionne H, Bock DD, Rubin GM, Reiser MB, Wernet MF. Synaptic targets of photoreceptors specialized to detect color and skylight polarization in Drosophila. eLife 2021; 10:e71858. [PMID: 34913436 PMCID: PMC8789284 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Color and polarization provide complementary information about the world and are detected by specialized photoreceptors. However, the downstream neural circuits that process these distinct modalities are incompletely understood in any animal. Using electron microscopy, we have systematically reconstructed the synaptic targets of the photoreceptors specialized to detect color and skylight polarization in Drosophila, and we have used light microscopy to confirm many of our findings. We identified known and novel downstream targets that are selective for different wavelengths or polarized light, and followed their projections to other areas in the optic lobes and the central brain. Our results revealed many synapses along the photoreceptor axons between brain regions, new pathways in the optic lobes, and spatially segregated projections to central brain regions. Strikingly, photoreceptors in the polarization-sensitive dorsal rim area target fewer cell types, and lack strong connections to the lobula, a neuropil involved in color processing. Our reconstruction identifies shared wiring and modality-specific specializations for color and polarization vision, and provides a comprehensive view of the first steps of the pathways processing color and polarized light inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Kind
- Instititut für Biologie – Abteilung Neurobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Kit D Longden
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Aljoscha Nern
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Arthur Zhao
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Gizem Sancer
- Instititut für Biologie – Abteilung Neurobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Miriam A Flynn
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Connor W Laughland
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Bruck Gezahegn
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Henrique DF Ludwig
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Alex G Thomson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Tessa Obrusnik
- Instititut für Biologie – Abteilung Neurobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Paula G Alarcón
- Instititut für Biologie – Abteilung Neurobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Heather Dionne
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Davi D Bock
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Gerald M Rubin
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Michael B Reiser
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Mathias F Wernet
- Instititut für Biologie – Abteilung Neurobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie & Pharmazie, Freie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
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Finnell LM, Koski MH. A test of Sensory Drive in plant-pollinator interactions: heterogeneity in the signalling environment shapes pollinator preference for a floral visual signal. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 232:1436-1448. [PMID: 34287921 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sensory Drive predicts that habitat-dependent signal transmission and perception explain the diversification of communication signals. Whether Sensory Drive shapes floral evolution remains untested in nature. Pollinators of Argentina anserina prefer small ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing floral guides at low elevation but larger guides at high. However, mechanisms underlying differential preference are unclear. High elevation populations experience elevated UV irradiance and frequently flower against bare substrates rather than foliage, potentially impacting signal transmission and perception. At high and low elevation extremes, we experimentally tested the effects of UV light (ambient vs reduced) and floral backgrounds (foliage vs bare) on pollinator choice for UV guide size. We examined how different signalling environments shaped pollinator-perceived flower colour using visual system models. At high elevation, pollinators preferred locally common large UV guides under ambient UV, but lacked preference under reduced UV. Flies preferred large guides only against bare substrate, the common high elevation background. Ambient UV amplified contrast of large UV guides with floral backgrounds, and flowers contrasted more with bare ground than foliage. Results support that local signalling conditions contribute to pollinator preference for a floral visual signal, a key tenet of Sensory Drive. Components of Sensory Drive could shape floral signal evolution in other plants spanning heterogeneous signalling environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M Finnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Matthew H Koski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
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20
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Colour Preference of the Deer Ked Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12090845. [PMID: 34564285 PMCID: PMC8465035 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Insects use visual stimuli to find habitats, food, or a mate while moving around. This trait might be exploited to intercept flying insects to monitor their populations and reduce their presence. Among the various visual stimuli, colours are commonly used to attract insects. Lipoptena fortisetosa is a hematophagous deer ectoparasite native to Japan that has spread to several central European countries and was recently recorded in Italy. Measures to monitor and control L. fortisetosa would be helpful given its potential threat as a pathogen vector for animals and humans. The objective of this research was to assess the potential use of colour to attract and trap L. fortisetosa. The response of the winged adults was evaluated through an experimental trial carried out in a wooded area of Tuscany using differently coloured sticky panels as traps. Blue panels attracted the highest number while yellow panels showed the lowest performance. This preference for blue could be useful in the design of traps to reduce the population of this parasitic fly which, at certain times, can reach a very high density, causing annoyance to wildlife and humans visiting natural areas. Abstract Lipoptena fortisetosa, a deer ked native to Japan, has established itself in several European countries and was recently recorded in Italy. This hippoboscid ectoparasite can develop high density populations, causing annoyance to animals and concern regarding the potential risk of transmitting pathogens to humans. No monitoring or control methods for L. fortisetosa have been applied or tested up to now. This research evaluated the possible response of L. fortisetosa winged adults to different colours as the basis for a monitoring and control strategy. In the summer of 2020, a series of six differently coloured sticky panels were randomly set as traps in a wooded area used by deer for resting. The results indicated a clear preference of the deer ked for the blue panels that caught the highest number of flies during the experimental period. Lower numbers of flies were trapped on the red, green, black, and white panels, with the yellow panels recording the fewest captures. The response clearly demonstrates that this species displays a colour preference, and that coloured traps might be useful for monitoring and limiting this biting ectoparasite in natural areas harbouring wildlife and visited by people.
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21
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Vision: Space and colour meet in the fly optic lobes. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R909-R912. [PMID: 34314720 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Colour vision involves colour-opponent cells, which are excited and inhibited by different wavelengths. Synaptic interconnections between Drosophila Dm8 cells are required for forming spatio-chromatic receptive fields with a center and surround of opposing polarity which can invert, depending on the stimulus.
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22
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Pojer JM, Saiful Hilmi AJ, Kondo S, Harvey KF. Crumbs and the apical spectrin cytoskeleton regulate R8 cell fate in the Drosophila eye. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009146. [PMID: 34097697 PMCID: PMC8211197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an important regulator of organ growth and cell fate. In the R8 photoreceptor cells of the Drosophila melanogaster eye, the Hippo pathway controls the fate choice between one of two subtypes that express either the blue light-sensitive Rhodopsin 5 (Hippo inactive R8 subtype) or the green light-sensitive Rhodopsin 6 (Hippo active R8 subtype). The degree to which the mechanism of Hippo signal transduction and the proteins that mediate it are conserved in organ growth and R8 cell fate choice is currently unclear. Here, we identify Crumbs and the apical spectrin cytoskeleton as regulators of R8 cell fate. By contrast, other proteins that influence Hippo-dependent organ growth, such as the basolateral spectrin cytoskeleton and Ajuba, are dispensable for the R8 cell fate choice. Surprisingly, Crumbs promotes the Rhodopsin 5 cell fate, which is driven by Yorkie, rather than the Rhodopsin 6 cell fate, which is driven by Warts and the Hippo pathway, which contrasts with its impact on Hippo activity in organ growth. Furthermore, neither the apical spectrin cytoskeleton nor Crumbs appear to regulate the Hippo pathway through mechanisms that have been observed in growing organs. Together, these results show that only a subset of Hippo pathway proteins regulate the R8 binary cell fate decision and that aspects of Hippo signalling differ between growing organs and post-mitotic R8 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. Pojer
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar Saiful Hilmi
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shu Kondo
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Kieran F. Harvey
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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23
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Image motion with color contrast suffices to elicit an optokinetic reflex in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8445. [PMID: 33875722 PMCID: PMC8055916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87835-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The optokinetic reflex is a closed-loop gaze-stabilizing ocular motor reaction that minimizes residual retinal image slip during vestibulo-ocular reflexes. In experimental isolation, the reflex is usually activated by motion of an achromatic large-field visual background with strong influence of radiance contrast on visual motion estimation and behavioral performance. The presence of color in natural environments, however, suggests that chromatic cues of visual scenes provide additional parameters for image motion detection. Here, we employed Xenopus laevis tadpoles to study the influence of color cues on the performance of the optokinetic reflex and multi-unit optic nerve discharge during motion of a large-field visual scene. Even though the amplitude of the optokinetic reflex decreases with smaller radiance contrast, considerable residual eye movements persist at the ‘point of equiluminance’ of the colored stimuli. Given the color motion preferences of individual optic nerve fibers, the underlying computation potentially originates in retinal circuits. Differential retinal ganglion cell projections and associated ocular motor signal transformation might further reinforce the color dependency in conceptual correspondence with head/body optomotor signaling. Optokinetic reflex performance under natural light conditions is accordingly influenced by radiance contrast as well as by the color composition of the moving visual scene.
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24
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Roth H, Wernet MF. Colour opponency: Chromatic and achromatic circuits in the mix. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R378-R381. [PMID: 33905693 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The molecular genetic dissection of Drosophila colour vision circuitry reveals converging pathways previously categorized as being chromatic versus achromatic. Amacrine-like Dm8 cells receive direct and indirect inputs with different spectral sensitivity tuning, thereby forming the second stage of colour-opponent processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Roth
- Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie and Pharmazie, Institut für Biologie, Division of Neurobiology, Königin-Luise Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias F Wernet
- Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Biologie, Chemie and Pharmazie, Institut für Biologie, Division of Neurobiology, Königin-Luise Strasse 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
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25
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Drerup C, How MJ. Polarization contrasts and their effect on the gaze stabilization of crustaceans. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:237796. [PMID: 33692078 PMCID: PMC8077661 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.229898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Many animals go to great lengths to stabilize their eyes relative to the visual scene and do so to enhance the localization of moving objects and to functionally partition the visual system relative to the outside world. An important cue that is used to control these stabilization movements is contrast within the visual surround. Previous studies on insects, spiders and fish have shown that gaze stabilization is achromatic (‘colour blind’), meaning that chromatic contrast alone (in the absence of apparent intensity contrasts) does not contribute to gaze stabilization. Following the assumption that polarization vision is analogous in many ways to colour vision, the present study shows that five different crustacean species do not use the polarization of light alone for gaze stabilization, despite being able to use this modality for detecting predator-like objects. This work therefore suggests that the gaze stabilization in many crustaceans cannot be elicited by the polarization of light alone. Summary: Five different crustacean species do not use the polarization of light alone for gaze stabilization, despite being able to use this modality for detecting predator-like objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Drerup
- CCMAR (Centro de Ciências do Mar), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.,Marine Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Martin J How
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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26
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Hughes AE, Griffiths D, Troscianko J, Kelley LA. The evolution of patterning during movement in a large-scale citizen science game. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20202823. [PMID: 33434457 PMCID: PMC7892415 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The motion dazzle hypothesis posits that high contrast geometric patterns can cause difficulties in tracking a moving target and has been argued to explain the patterning of animals such as zebras. Research to date has only tested a small number of patterns, offering equivocal support for the hypothesis. Here, we take a genetic programming approach to allow patterns to evolve based on their fitness (time taken to capture) and thus find the optimal strategy for providing protection when moving. Our ‘Dazzle Bug’ citizen science game tested over 1.5 million targets in a touch screen game at a popular visitor attraction. Surprisingly, we found that targets lost pattern elements during evolution and became closely background matching. Modelling results suggested that targets with lower motion energy were harder to catch. Our results indicate that low contrast, featureless targets offer the greatest protection against capture when in motion, challenging the motion dazzle hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Hughes
- Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe House, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | | | - Jolyon Troscianko
- Centre for Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Laura A Kelley
- Centre for Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
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27
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Kinoshita M, Stewart FJ. Retinal organization and visual abilities for flower foraging in swallowtail butterflies. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 42:76-83. [PMID: 33010475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Papilio butterflies' ability to forage for flowers relies upon multiple visual cues such as color, brightness, and motion. Papilio learns the color of rewarding flowers and detects it at a distance. Its color vision is based on four photoreceptor classes: UV, blue, green, and red, providing sensitive wavelength discrimination. These four receptor classes also contribute to the perception of brightness and polarization. Papilio's motion vision is based on a different set of receptors: green, red, and broad band. This implies that two visual pathways exist in Papilio. The contribution of several receptor classes not only for chromatic vision but also achromatic vision likely enhances the butterfly's ability to detect flowers in complex visual environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiyo Kinoshita
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, SOKENDAI-Hayama (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan Village, Hayama 240-0193, Japan.
| | - Finlay J Stewart
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, SOKENDAI-Hayama (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan Village, Hayama 240-0193, Japan
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28
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Feord RC, Wardill TJ. A novel setup for simultaneous two-photon functional imaging and precise spectral and spatial visual stimulation in Drosophila. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15681. [PMID: 32973185 PMCID: PMC7515906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72673-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Motion vision has been extensively characterised in Drosophila melanogaster, but substantially less is known about how flies process colour, or how spectral information affects other visual modalities. To accurately dissect the components of the early visual system responsible for processing colour, we developed a versatile visual stimulation setup to probe combined spatial, temporal and spectral response properties. Using flies expressing neural activity indicators, we tracked visual responses in the medulla, the second visual neuropil, to a projected colour stimulus. The introduction of custom bandpass optical filters enables simultaneous two-photon imaging and visual stimulation over a large range of wavelengths without compromising the temporal stimulation rate. With monochromator-produced light, any spectral bandwidth and centre wavelength from 390 to 730 nm can be selected to produce a narrow spectral hue. A specialised screen material scatters each band of light across the visible spectrum equally at all locations of the screen, thus enabling presentation of spatially structured stimuli. We show layer-specific shifts of spectral response properties in the medulla correlating with projection regions of photoreceptor terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael C Feord
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Trevor J Wardill
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA.
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29
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Fountain MT, Badiee A, Hemer S, Delgado A, Mangan M, Dowding C, Davis F, Pearson S. The use of light spectrum blocking films to reduce populations of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura in fruit crops. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15358. [PMID: 32958797 PMCID: PMC7506528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72074-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a serious invasive pest impacting the production of multiple fruit crops, including soft and stone fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and cherries. Effective control is challenging and reliant on integrated pest management which includes the use of an ever decreasing number of approved insecticides. New means to reduce the impact of this pest that can be integrated into control strategies are urgently required. In many production regions, including the UK, soft fruit are typically grown inside tunnels clad with polyethylene based materials. These can be modified to filter specific wavebands of light. We investigated whether targeted spectral modifications to cladding materials that disrupt insect vision could reduce the incidence of D. suzukii. We present a novel approach that starts from a neuroscientific investigation of insect sensory systems and ends with infield testing of new cladding materials inspired by the biological data. We show D. suzukii are predominantly sensitive to wavelengths below 405 nm (ultraviolet) and above 565 nm (orange & red) and that targeted blocking of lower wavebands (up to 430 nm) using light restricting materials reduces pest populations up to 73% in field trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amir Badiee
- School of Engineering, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.,Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, University of Lincoln, Riseholme Campus, Lincoln, LN2 2LG, UK
| | - Sebastian Hemer
- NIAB EMR, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK.,Berry Garden Growers, Tatlingbury Oast, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6RG, UK
| | | | - Michael Mangan
- School of Computer Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.,Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Sheffield, S1 4DP, UK
| | - Colin Dowding
- School of Engineering, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Frederick Davis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, RG6 6AD, UK
| | - Simon Pearson
- Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, University of Lincoln, Riseholme Campus, Lincoln, LN2 2LG, UK
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30
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Mazzotta GM, Damulewicz M, Cusumano P. Better Sleep at Night: How Light Influences Sleep in Drosophila. Front Physiol 2020; 11:997. [PMID: 33013437 PMCID: PMC7498665 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep-like states have been described in Drosophila and the mechanisms and factors that generate and define sleep-wake profiles in this model organism are being thoroughly investigated. Sleep is controlled by both circadian and homeostatic mechanisms, and environmental factors such as light, temperature, and social stimuli are fundamental in shaping and confining sleep episodes into the correct time of the day. Among environmental cues, light seems to have a prominent function in modulating the timing of sleep during the 24 h and, in this review, we will discuss the role of light inputs in modulating the distribution of the fly sleep-wake cycles. This phenomenon is of growing interest in the modern society, where artificial light exposure during the night is a common trait, opening the possibility to study Drosophila as a model organism for investigating shift-work disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milena Damulewicz
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paola Cusumano
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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31
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Damulewicz M, Ispizua JI, Ceriani MF, Pyza EM. Communication Among Photoreceptors and the Central Clock Affects Sleep Profile. Front Physiol 2020; 11:993. [PMID: 32848895 PMCID: PMC7431659 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Light is one of the most important factors regulating rhythmical behavior of Drosophila melanogaster. It is received by different photoreceptors and entrains the circadian clock, which controls sleep. The retina is known to be essential for light perception, as it is composed of specialized light-sensitive cells which transmit signal to deeper parts of the brain. In this study we examined the role of specific photoreceptor types and peripheral oscillators located in these cells in the regulation of sleep pattern. We showed that sleep is controlled by the visual system in a very complex way. Photoreceptors expressing Rh1, Rh3 are involved in night-time sleep regulation, while cells expressing Rh5 and Rh6 affect sleep both during the day and night. Moreover, Hofbauer-Buchner (HB) eyelets which can directly contact with s-LN v s and l-LN v s play a wake-promoting function during the day. In addition, we showed that L2 interneurons, which receive signal from R1-6, form direct synaptic contacts with l-LN v s, which provides new light input to the clock network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Damulewicz
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Juan I. Ispizua
- Laboratorio de Genética del Comportamiento, Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria F. Ceriani
- Laboratorio de Genética del Comportamiento, Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elzbieta M. Pyza
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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32
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Yuan D, Ji X, Hao S, Gestrich JY, Duan W, Wang X, Xiang Y, Yang J, Hu P, Xu M, Liu L, Wei H. Lamina feedback neurons regulate the bandpass property of the flicker-induced orientation response in Drosophila. J Neurochem 2020; 156:59-75. [PMID: 32383496 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural scenes contain complex visual cues with specific features, including color, motion, flicker, and position. It is critical to understand how different visual features are processed at the early stages of visual perception to elicit appropriate cellular responses, and even behavioral output. Here, we studied the visual orientation response induced by flickering stripes in a novel behavioral paradigm in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that free walking flies exhibited bandpass orientation response to flickering stripes of different frequencies. The most sensitive frequency spectrum was confined to low frequencies of 2-4 Hz. Through genetic silencing, we showed that lamina L1 and L2 neurons, which receive visual inputs from R1 to R6 neurons, were the main components in mediating flicker-induced orientation behavior. Moreover, specific blocking of different types of lamina feedback neurons Lawf1, Lawf2, C2, C3, and T1 modulated orientation responses to flickering stripes of particular frequencies, suggesting that bandpass orientation response was generated through cooperative modulation of lamina feedback neurons. Furthermore, we found that lamina feedback neurons Lawf1 were glutamatergic. Thermal activation of Lawf1 neurons could suppress neural activities in L1 and L2 neurons, which could be blocked by the glutamate-gated chloride channel inhibitor picrotoxin (PTX). In summary, lamina monopolar neurons L1 and L2 are the primary components in mediating flicker-induced orientation response. Meanwhile, lamina feedback neurons cooperatively modulate the orientation response in a frequency-dependent way, which might be achieved through modulating neural activities of L1 and L2 neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shun Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Julia Yvonne Gestrich
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wenlan Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuanhang Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jihua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Pengbo Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Mengbo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Hongying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.,College of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
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33
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Terzioğlu Kara E, Kiral FR, Öztürk Çolak A, Çelik A. Generation and characterization of inner photoreceptor-specific enhancer-trap lines using a novel piggyBac-Gal4 element in Drosophila. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 104:e21675. [PMID: 32285519 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Drosophila inner photoreceptors R7 and R8 are responsible for color vision and their differentiation starts at the third instar larval stage. Only a handful of genes with R7 or R8-cell-specific expression are known. We performed an enhancer-trap screen using a novel piggyBac transposable element, pBGay, carrying a Gal4 sequence under the control of the P promoter to identify novel genes expressed specifically in R7 or R8 cells. From this screen, three lines were analyzed in detail: piggyBacAC109 and piggyBacAC783 are expressed in R8 cells and piggyBacAC887 is expressed in R7 cells at the third instar larval stage and pupal stages. Molecular analysis showed that the piggyBac elements were inserted into the first intron of CG14160 and CG7985 genes and the second intron of unzipped. We show the expression pattern in the developing eye imaginal disc, pupal retina as well as the adult retina. The photoreceptor-specific expression of these genes is reported for the first time and we propose that these lines are useful tools for studying the development of the visual system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Terzioğlu Kara
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ferdi Rıdvan Kiral
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Division of Neurobiology, Institute for Biology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arzu Öztürk Çolak
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arzu Çelik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
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34
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Chen YC, Desplan C. Gene regulatory networks during the development of the Drosophila visual system. Curr Top Dev Biol 2020; 139:89-125. [PMID: 32450970 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2020.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The Drosophila visual system integrates input from 800 ommatidia and extracts different features in stereotypically connected optic ganglia. The development of the Drosophila visual system is controlled by gene regulatory networks that control the number of precursor cells, generate neuronal diversity by integrating spatial and temporal information, coordinate the timing of retinal and optic lobe cell differentiation, and determine distinct synaptic targets of each cell type. In this chapter, we describe the known gene regulatory networks involved in the development of the different parts of the visual system and explore general components in these gene networks. Finally, we discuss the advantages of the fly visual system as a model for gene regulatory network discovery in the era of single-cell transcriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chung Chen
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Claude Desplan
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
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35
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Leung NY, Thakur DP, Gurav AS, Kim SH, Di Pizio A, Niv MY, Montell C. Functions of Opsins in Drosophila Taste. Curr Biol 2020; 30:1367-1379.e6. [PMID: 32243853 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rhodopsin is a light receptor comprised of an opsin protein and a light-sensitive retinal chromophore. Despite more than a century of scrutiny, there is no evidence that opsins function in chemosensation. Here, we demonstrate that three Drosophila opsins, Rh1, Rh4, and Rh7, are needed in gustatory receptor neurons to sense a plant-derived bitter compound, aristolochic acid (ARI). The gustatory requirements for these opsins are light-independent and do not require retinal. The opsins enabled flies to detect lower concentrations of aristolochic acid by initiating an amplification cascade that includes a G-protein, phospholipase Cβ, and the TRP channel, TRPA1. In contrast, responses to higher levels of the bitter compound were mediated through direct activation of TRPA1. Our study reveals roles for opsins in chemosensation and raise questions concerning the original roles for these classical G-protein-coupled receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Y Leung
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Dhananjay P Thakur
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Adishthi S Gurav
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Sang Hoon Kim
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Antonella Di Pizio
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100 Rehovot, Israel; The Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel; Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Masha Y Niv
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100 Rehovot, Israel; The Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Craig Montell
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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36
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A network approach to analyze neuronal lineage and layer innervation in the Drosophila optic lobes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227897. [PMID: 32023281 PMCID: PMC7001925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The optic lobes of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster form a highly wired neural network composed of roughly 130.000 neurons of more than 80 different types. How neuronal diversity arises from very few cell progenitors is a central question in developmental neurobiology. We use the optic lobe of the fruit fly as a paradigm to understand how neuroblasts, the neural stem cells, generate multiple neuron types. Although the development of the fly brain has been the subject of extensive research, very little is known about the lineage relationships of the cell types forming the adult optic lobes. Here we perform a large-scale lineage bioinformatics analysis using the graph theory. We generated a large collection of cell clones that genetically label the progeny of neuroblasts and built a database to draw graphs showing the lineage relationships between cell types. By establishing biological criteria that measures the strength of the neuronal relationships and applying community detection tools we have identified eight clusters of neurons. Each cluster contains different cell types that we pose are the product of eight distinct classes of neuroblasts. Three of these clusters match the available lineage data, supporting the predictive value of the analysis. Finally, we show that the neuronal progeny of a neuroblast do not have preferential innervation patterns, but instead become part of different layers and neuropils. Here we establish a new methodology that helps understanding the logic of Drosophila brain development and can be applied to the more complex vertebrate brains.
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37
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Schnaitmann C, Pagni M, Reiff DF. Color vision in insects: insights from Drosophila. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2020; 206:183-198. [PMID: 32020291 PMCID: PMC7069916 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01397-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Color vision is an important sensory capability that enhances the detection of contrast in retinal images. Monochromatic animals exclusively detect temporal and spatial changes in luminance, whereas two or more types of photoreceptors and neuronal circuitries for the comparison of their responses enable animals to differentiate spectral information independent of intensity. Much of what we know about the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying color vision comes from research on vertebrates including primates. In insects, many important discoveries have been made, but direct insights into the physiology and circuit implementation of color vision are still limited. Recent advances in Drosophila systems neuroscience suggest that a complete insect color vision circuitry, from photoreceptors to behavior, including all elements and computations, can be revealed in future. Here, we review fundamental concepts in color vision alongside our current understanding of the neuronal basis of color vision in Drosophila, including side views to selected other insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schnaitmann
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Manuel Pagni
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Dierk F Reiff
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany.
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38
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Aizawa K, Gillett C. Defending pluralism about compositional explanations. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 2019; 78:101202. [PMID: 31558337 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsc.2019.101202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Aizawa
- Department of Philosophy, Rutgers University, Newark, United States.
| | - Carl Gillett
- Department of Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, United States.
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39
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Meglič A, Ilić M, Pirih P, Škorjanc A, Wehling MF, Kreft M, Belušič G. Horsefly object-directed polarotaxis is mediated by a stochastically distributed ommatidial subtype in the ventral retina. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:21843-21853. [PMID: 31591223 PMCID: PMC6815168 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910807116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The ventral compound eye of many insects contains polarization-sensitive photoreceptors, but little is known about how they are integrated into visual functions. In female horseflies, polarized reflections from animal fur are a key stimulus for host detection. To understand how polarization vision is mediated by the ventral compound eye, we investigated the band-eyed brown horsefly Tabanus bromius using anatomical, physiological, and behavioral approaches. Serial electron microscopic sectioning of the retina and single-cell recordings were used to determine the spectral and polarization sensitivity (PS) of photoreceptors. We found 2 stochastically distributed subtypes of ommatidia, analogous to pale and yellow of other flies. Importantly, the pale analog contains an orthogonal analyzer receptor pair with high PS, formed by an ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive R7 and a UV- and blue-sensitive R8, while the UV-sensitive R7 and green-sensitive R8 in the yellow analog always have low PS. We tested horsefly polarotaxis in the field, using lures with controlled spectral and polarization composition. Polarized reflections without UV and blue components rendered the lures unattractive, while reflections without the green component increased their attractiveness. This is consistent with polarotaxis being guided by a differential signal from polarization analyzers in the pale analogs, and with an inhibitory role of the yellow analogs. Our results reveal how stochastically distributed sensory units with modality-specific division of labor serve as separate and opposing input channels for visual guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Meglič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Ilić
- Laboratory of Neuroethology, Sokendai - The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, 240-0193 Hayama, Japan
| | - Primož Pirih
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Škorjanc
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin F Wehling
- Nature-inspired Team, Sensor and Imaging Sciences Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Eglin Air Force Base, FL 32542
| | - Marko Kreft
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica Biomedical, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Belušič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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40
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Schlichting M, Weidner P, Diaz M, Menegazzi P, Dalla Benetta E, Helfrich-Förster C, Rosbash M. Light-Mediated Circuit Switching in the Drosophila Neuronal Clock Network. Curr Biol 2019; 29:3266-3276.e3. [PMID: 31564496 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The circadian clock is a timekeeper but also helps adapt physiology to the outside world. This is because an essential feature of clocks is their ability to adjust (entrain) to the environment, with light being the most important signal. Whereas cryptochrome-mediated entrainment is well understood in Drosophila, integration of light information via the visual system lacks a neuronal or molecular mechanism. Here, we show that a single photoreceptor subtype is essential for long-day adaptation. These cells activate key circadian neurons, namely the large ventral-lateral neurons (lLNvs), which release the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF). RNAi and rescue experiments show that PDF from these cells is necessary and sufficient for delaying the timing of the evening (E) activity in long-day conditions. This contrasts to PDF that derives from the small ventral-lateral neurons (sLNvs), which are essential for constant darkness (DD) rhythmicity. Using a cell-specific CRISPR/Cas9 assay, we show that lLNv-derived PDF directly interacts with neurons important for E activity timing. Interestingly, this pathway is specific for long-day adaptation and appears to be dispensable in equinox or DD conditions. The results therefore indicate that external cues cause a rearrangement of neuronal hierarchy, which contributes to behavioral plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Schlichting
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.
| | - Patrick Weidner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA; Department for Neurobiology and Genetics, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Madelen Diaz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Pamela Menegazzi
- Department for Neurobiology and Genetics, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elena Dalla Benetta
- Department for Neurobiology and Genetics, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Michael Rosbash
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
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41
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Daytime colour preference in Drosophila depends on the circadian clock and TRP channels. Nature 2019; 574:108-111. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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42
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Creamer MS, Mano O, Tanaka R, Clark DA. A flexible geometry for panoramic visual and optogenetic stimulation during behavior and physiology. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 323:48-55. [PMID: 31103713 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To study visual processing, it is necessary to precisely control visual stimuli while recording neural and behavioral responses. It can be important to present stimuli over a broad area of the visual field, which can be technically difficult. NEW METHOD We present a simple geometry that can be used to display panoramic stimuli. A single digital light projector generates images that are reflected by mirrors onto flat screens that surround an animal. It can be used for behavioral and neurophysiological measurements, so virtually identical stimuli can be presented. Moreover, this geometry permits light from the projector to be used to activate optogenetic tools. RESULTS Using this geometry, we presented panoramic visual stimulation to Drosophila in three paradigms. We presented drifting contrast gratings while recording walking and turning speed. We used the same projector to activate optogenetic channels during visual stimulation. Finally, we used two-photon microscopy to record responses in direction-selective cells to drifting gratings. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) Existing methods have typically required custom hardware or curved screens, while this method requires only flat back projection screens and a digital light projector. The projector generates images in real time and does not require pre-generated images. Finally, while many setups are large, this geometry occupies a 30 × 20 cm footprint with a 25 cm height. CONCLUSIONS This flexible geometry enables measurements of behavioral and neural responses to panoramic stimuli. This allows moderate throughput behavioral experiments with simultaneous optogenetic manipulation, with easy comparisons between behavior and neural activity using virtually identical stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Creamer
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Omer Mano
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Ryosuke Tanaka
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Damon A Clark
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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43
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Hannah L, Dyer AG, Garcia JE, Dorin A, Burd M. Psychophysics of the hoverfly: categorical or continuous color discrimination? Curr Zool 2019; 65:483-492. [PMID: 31413720 PMCID: PMC6688577 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoz008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in flies as potentially important pollinators. Flies are known to have a complex visual system, including 4 spectral classes of photoreceptors that contribute to the perception of color. Our current understanding of how color signals are perceived by flies is based on data for the blowfly Lucilia sp., which after being conditioned to rewarded monochromatic light stimuli, showed evidence of a categorical color visual system. The resulting opponent fly color space has 4 distinct categories, and has been used to interpret how some fly pollinators may perceive flower colors. However, formal proof that flower flies (Syrphidae) only use a simple, categorical color process remains outstanding. In free-flying experiments, we tested the hoverfly Eristalis tenax, a Batesian mimic of the honeybee, that receives its nutrition by visiting flowers. Using a range of broadband similar–dissimilar color stimuli previously used to test color perception in pollinating hymenopteran species, we evaluated if there are steep changes in behavioral choices with continuously increasing color differences as might be expected by categorical color processing. Our data revealed that color choices by the hoverfly are mediated by a continuous monotonic function. Thus, these flies did not use a categorical processing, but showed evidence of a color discrimination function similar to that observed in several bee species. We therefore empirically provide data for the minimum color distance that can be discriminated by hoverflies in fly color space, enabling an improved understanding of plant–pollinator interactions with a non-model insect species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Hannah
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales 2753, Australia
| | - Adrian G Dyer
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jair E Garcia
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Alan Dorin
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Martin Burd
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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44
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A Distinct Visual Pathway Mediates High-Intensity Light Adaptation of the Circadian Clock in Drosophila. J Neurosci 2019; 39:1621-1630. [PMID: 30606757 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1497-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To provide organisms with a fitness advantage, circadian clocks have to react appropriately to changes in their environment. High-intensity (HI) light plays an essential role in the adaptation to hot summer days, which especially endanger insects of desiccation or prey visibility. Here, we show that solely increasing light intensity leads to an increased midday siesta in Drosophila behavior. Interestingly, this change is independent of the fly's circadian photoreceptor cryptochrome and is solely caused by a small visual organ, the Hofbauer-Buchner eyelets. Using receptor knock-downs, immunostaining, and recently developed calcium tools, we show that the eyelets activate key core clock neurons, namely the s-LNvs, at HI. This activation delays the decrease of PERIOD (PER) in the middle of the day and propagates to downstream target clock neurons that prolong the siesta. We show a new pathway for integrating light-intensity information into the clock network, suggesting new network properties and surprising parallels between Drosophila and the mammalian system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The ability of animals to adapt to their ever-changing environment plays an important role in their fitness. A key player in this adaptation is the circadian clock. For animals to predict the changes of day and night, they must constantly monitor, detect and incorporate changes in the environment. The appropriate incorporation and reaction to high-intensity (HI) light is of special importance for insects because they might suffer from desiccation during hot summer days. We show here that different photoreceptors have specialized functions to integrate low-intensity, medium-intensity, or HI light into the circadian system in Drosophila These results show surprising parallels to mammalian mechanisms, which also use different photoreceptor subtypes to respond to different light intensities.
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45
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Stewart FJ, Kinoshita M, Arikawa K. Monopolatic motion vision in the butterfly Papilio xuthus. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:222/1/jeb191957. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.191957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus can perceive the linear polarization of light. Using a novel polarization projection system, we recently demonstrated that P. xuthus can detect visual motion based on polarization contrast. In the present study, we attempt to infer via behavioural experiments the mechanism underlying this polarization-based motion vision. Papilio xuthus do not perceive contrast between unpolarized and diagonally polarized light, implying that they cannot unambiguously estimate angle and degree of polarization, at least as far as motion detection is concerned. Furthermore, they conflate brightness and polarization cues, such that bright vertically polarized light resembles dim unpolarized light. These observations are consistent with a one-channel ‘monopolatic’ detector mechanism. We extend our existing model of motion vision in P. xuthus to incorporate these polarization findings, and conclude that the photoreceptors likely to form the basis for the putative monopolatic polarization detector are R3 and R4, which respond maximally to horizontally polarized green light. R5–R8, we propose, form a polarization-insensitive secondary channel tuned to longer wavelengths of light. Consistent with this account, we see greater sensitivity to polarization for green-light stimuli than for subjectively equiluminant red ones. Somewhat counter-intuitively, our model predicts greatest sensitivity to vertically polarized light; owing to the non-linearity of photoreceptor responses, light polarized to an angle orthogonal to a monopolatic detector's orientation offers the greatest contrast with unpolarized light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finlay J. Stewart
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan International Village, Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193 Japan
| | - Michiyo Kinoshita
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan International Village, Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193 Japan
| | - Kentaro Arikawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan International Village, Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193 Japan
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46
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Schnaitmann C, Haikala V, Abraham E, Oberhauser V, Thestrup T, Griesbeck O, Reiff DF. Color Processing in the Early Visual System of Drosophila. Cell 2018; 172:318-330.e18. [PMID: 29328919 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Color vision extracts spectral information by comparing signals from photoreceptors with different visual pigments. Such comparisons are encoded by color-opponent neurons that are excited at one wavelength and inhibited at another. Here, we examine the circuit implementation of color-opponent processing in the Drosophila visual system by combining two-photon calcium imaging with genetic dissection of visual circuits. We report that color-opponent processing of UVshort/blue and UVlong/green is already implemented in R7/R8 inner photoreceptor terminals of "pale" and "yellow" ommatidia, respectively. R7 and R8 photoreceptors of the same type of ommatidia mutually inhibit each other directly via HisCl1 histamine receptors and receive additional feedback inhibition that requires the second histamine receptor Ort. Color-opponent processing at the first visual synapse represents an unexpected commonality between Drosophila and vertebrates; however, the differences in the molecular and cellular implementation suggest that the same principles evolved independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schnaitmann
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Väinö Haikala
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Abraham
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Vitus Oberhauser
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Thestrup
- Tools for Bio-Imaging, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Oliver Griesbeck
- Tools for Bio-Imaging, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Dierk F Reiff
- Department for Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology I, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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47
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An L, Neimann A, Eberling E, Algora H, Brings S, Lunau K. The yellow specialist: dronefly Eristalis tenax prefers different yellow colours for landing and proboscis extension. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.184788. [PMID: 30190319 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.184788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Droneflies, imagoes of the hoverfly Eristalis tenax, are known to possess a preference for yellow flowers, i.e. they prefer to visit yellow flowers and prefer to extend the proboscis to yellow colours. In this study we disentangle these colour preferences by investigating the landing reaction and proboscis reflex with particular reference to intensity, spectral purity and dominant wavelength of colour stimuli and their UV reflection properties. In multiple-choice tests, naïve and non-trained flies prefer to land on yellow colours independent of their UV reflection characteristics, but also accept blue, white and pink colours if they absorb UV and are of sufficient brightness. Flies trained to land on colours other than yellow still prefer yellow colours to some extent. Moreover, the flies prefer bright over dark yellow colours even if trained to dark yellow ones. The flies refuse to land on dark colours of all hues. Naïve flies exhibit the proboscis reflex only to pure yellow pollen. These experiments show for the first time that landing in droneflies is triggered by a yellow colour independent of its UV reflection properties, but proboscis extension is triggered by yellow colours strongly absorbing blue and UV. The ability to discriminate colours is better than predicted by the categorical colour vision model. The colour preferences in E. tenax represent a fine-tuned ability to visit yellow flowers displaying a UV bull's-eye pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina An
- College of Plant Protection, Entomology Department, Hebei Agricultural University, 071000 Baoding, China.,Institute of Sensory Ecology, Biology Department, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Neimann
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Biology Department, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eugen Eberling
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Biology Department, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hanna Algora
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Biology Department, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sebastian Brings
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Biology Department, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Klaus Lunau
- Institute of Sensory Ecology, Biology Department, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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48
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Ebadi H, Perry M, Short K, Klemm K, Desplan C, Stadler PF, Mehta A. Patterning the insect eye: From stochastic to deterministic mechanisms. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006363. [PMID: 30439954 PMCID: PMC6264902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
While most processes in biology are highly deterministic, stochastic mechanisms are sometimes used to increase cellular diversity. In human and Drosophila eyes, photoreceptors sensitive to different wavelengths of light are distributed in stochastic patterns, and one such patterning system has been analyzed in detail in the Drosophila retina. Interestingly, some species in the dipteran family Dolichopodidae (the “long legged” flies, or “Doli”) instead exhibit highly orderly deterministic eye patterns. In these species, alternating columns of ommatidia (unit eyes) produce corneal lenses of different colors. Occasional perturbations in some individuals disrupt the regular columns in a way that suggests that patterning occurs via a posterior-to-anterior signaling relay during development, and that specification follows a local, cellular-automaton-like rule. We hypothesize that the regulatory mechanisms that pattern the eye are largely conserved among flies and that the difference between unordered Drosophila and ordered dolichopodid eyes can be explained in terms of relative strengths of signaling interactions rather than a rewiring of the regulatory network itself. We present a simple stochastic model that is capable of explaining both the stochastic Drosophila eye and the striped pattern of Dolichopodidae eyes and thereby characterize the least number of underlying developmental rules necessary to produce both stochastic and deterministic patterns. We show that only small changes to model parameters are needed to also reproduce intermediate, semi-random patterns observed in another Doli species, and quantification of ommatidial distributions in these eyes suggests that their patterning follows similar rules. A simple model is able to account for a diversity of photoreceptor patterns in different fly species, ranging from highly deterministic to fully random.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haleh Ebadi
- Bioinformatics, Institute for Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael Perry
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Keith Short
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Konstantin Klemm
- Department of Computer Science, School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
- Instituto de Física Interdisciplinar y Sistemas Complejos, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Claude Desplan
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Peter F. Stadler
- Bioinformatics, Institute for Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Anita Mehta
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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49
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Knorr AG, Gravot CM, Gordy C, Glasauer S, Straka H. I spy with my little eye: a simple behavioral assay to test color sensitivity on digital displays. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.035725. [PMID: 30127095 PMCID: PMC6215414 DOI: 10.1242/bio.035725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Passive and interactive virtual reality (VR) environments are becoming increasingly popular in the field of behavioral neuroscience. While the technique was originally developed for human observers, corresponding applications have been adopted for the research of visual-driven behavior and neural circuits in animals. RGB color reproduction using red, green and blue primary color pixels is generally calibrated for humans, questioning if the distinct parameters are also readily transferable to other species. In particular, a visual image in the RGB color space has a clearly defined contrast pattern for humans, but this may not necessarily be the case for other mammals or even non-mammalian species, thereby impairing any interpretation of color-related behavioral or neuronal results. Here, we present a simple method to estimate the sensitivity of animals to the three primary colors of digital display devices based on the performance of object motion-driven visuo-motor reflexes and demonstrate differences in the color sensitivity between Xenopus laevis and Ambystoma mexicanum (Axolotl). This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: We present a simple method to estimate an animals’ sensitivity to component colors of RGB images based on visuo-motor reflexes and demonstrate its applicability in Xenopus laevis and Ambystoma mexicanum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G Knorr
- Center for Sensorimotor Research, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Großhadern, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 19, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Céline M Gravot
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Clayton Gordy
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Stefan Glasauer
- Center for Sensorimotor Research, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Großhadern, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 19, 81377 Munich, Germany.,Computational Neuroscience, Institute of Medical Technology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Hans Straka
- Department of Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany
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50
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Abstract
Motion in the visual world provides critical information to guide the behavior of sighted animals. Furthermore, as visual motion estimation requires comparisons of signals across inputs and over time, it represents a paradigmatic and generalizable neural computation. Focusing on the Drosophila visual system, where an explosion of technological advances has recently accelerated experimental progress, we review our understanding of how, algorithmically and mechanistically, motion signals are first computed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen H Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA; .,Current affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
| | - Thomas R Clandinin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA;
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