Editorial: What can simple brains teach us about how vision works.

摘要: Vision is the process of extracting behaviorally-relevant information from patterns light that fall on retina as eyes sample outside world. Traditionally, non-human primates have been viewed by many animal model-of-choice for investigating neuronal substrates visual processing, not only because their systems closely mirror our own (e.g., Orban, 2008; Nassi and Callaway, 2009 a review), but also it often assumed “simpler” brains lack advanced processing machinery. However, this narrow view neuroscience ignores fact vision widely distributed throughout kingdom, enabling wide repertoire complex behaviors in species insects to birds, fish, mammals. Recent years seen resurgence interest alternative models research, such rodents (see Huberman Niell, 2011; Zoccolan, 2015 review). This partly due availability increasingly powerful experimental approaches optogenetics two-photon imaging) are challenging apply full potential primates. Meanwhile, even more phylogenetically distant long workhorse gaining insight into core computations underlying Baier, 2000; Bilotta Saszik, 2001; Borst et al., 2010; Aptekar Frye, 2013 In cases, these valuable precisely simpler than primate system. Simpler easier understand, studying diversity achieve similar functions can focus attention those computational principles universal essential. This Research Topic provides survey state art use non-primate functions. It includes original methods articles, reviews, opinions exploit variety (including rodents, fishes insects) investigate function. The covered studies range psychophysics electrophysiology histology genetics, testifying richness depth species. Below, we briefly summarize contributions Topic.