Experience-related reorganization of giant synapses in the lateral complex: Potential role in plasticity of the sky-compass pathway in the desert ant Cataglyphis fortis.

摘要: Cataglyphis desert ants undergo an age-related polyethism from interior workers to relatively short-lived foragers with remarkable visual navigation capabilities, predominantly achieved by path integration using a polarized skylight-based sun compass and stride-integrating odometer. Behavioral physiological experiments revealed that the polarization (POL) pattern is processed via specialized UV-photoreceptors in dorsal rim area of compound eye POL sensitive optic lobe neurons. Further information about neuronal substrate for processing ant brain has remained elusive. This work focuses on lateral complex (LX), known as important relay station insect sky-compass pathway. Neuroanatomical results fortis show LX giant synapses (GS) connect large presynaptic terminals anterior tubercle neurons postsynaptic GABAergic profiles tangential innervating ellipsoid body central complex. At ultrastructural level, cup-shaped structures comprise many active zones contacting numerous small profiles. Three-dimensional quantification demonstrated significantly higher number GS (∼13%) compared workers. Light exposure, opposed age, was necessary sufficient trigger similar increase numbers. Furthermore, numbers exclusion UV light. As previous have importance spectrum Cataglyphis, we conclude plasticity may reflect processes involved initial calibration circuits during orientation walks preceding foraging. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol,