Navigation-specific neural coding in the visual system of Drosophila.

摘要: Drosophila melanogaster are a good system in which to understand the minimal requirements for widespread visually guided behaviours such as navigation, due their small brains (adults possess only 100,000 neurons) and availability of neurogenetic techniques allow identification task-specific cell types. Recently published data describe receptive fields two classes responsive neurons (R2 R3/R4d ring central complex) that essential visual tasks orientation memory salient objects simple pattern discriminations. What is interesting these cells have very large number, suggesting each sub-population might be bottleneck processing information specific behaviour, subset effectively condenses from approximately 3000 receptors eye, fewer than 50 total. It has recently been shown how R1 neurons, receive input same areas R2 cells, necessary place learning Drosophila. However, enable unknown. By examining provided by different populations hypothetical simulations experimental arenas, we show with neuron-like sufficient defining location visually. In this way provide link between type conveyed behaviour they support.