Concepts in vertebrate neuroethology

摘要: Abstract Neuroethology is concerned with the analysis of neural substrates and mechanisms that underlie behaviour. In 1951, Tinbergen implied following goals Ethophysiology, today known as Neuroethology: (1) recognition localization behaviourally meaningful stimuli, e.g. key stimuli; (2) sensorimotor interfacing feedback interactions; (3) modulations according to internal states acquired information; (4) motor pattern generation; (5) ontogenetic phylogenetic aspects. Using toad's ( Bufo bufo ) visually-guided prey-catching behaviour an example, experimental strategies concepts vertebrate can be demonstrated: (i) visual space mapped in brain a multiple manner; (ii) specification neurons results from inhibitory and/or excitatory interactions among within space-mapped neuronal networks; (iii) specialized neurons, those stimulus properties, show information processing takes place functional units cell assemblies (so-called ‘neuronal machines’ or ‘brain chips’); (iv) activation generators for different behavioural actions may require coincidence inputs combinations serve command elements together form system; (v) system regarded interface fulfilling tasks respect (a) localization, (b) functions, by initiating generation system, (c) through participation temporal sequence positive (d) integration modulatory states; (vi) circuitry consists network capable producing consistent distribution excitation inhibition whose output has privileged access required motoneuronal pools; (vii) basic principles prey selection capture emerge post-metamorphic juvenile toad transition land without previous experience. During early ontogeny acuity sensory discrimination performance patterns are subject maturation paralleled differentiations bbrain. brain. programmed and, amphibians, presumably less dependent on interaction environment than mammals. This course does not exclude possibility modulating, modifying, specifying extending toads due individual