The Head-Neck System of the Blowfly Calliphora:2. Functional Organization and Comparisons with the Sphinx Moth Manduca sexta

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In this chapter, the motion-sensitive responses of particular neck muscles motoneurons in the fly Calliphora erythrocephala are characterized and compared to those in an analogous system in the sphinx moth Manduca sexta. Even though both species are considerably separated on the phylogenetic tree, the main characteristics of the neck motor organization appear to be analogous, manifesting a normal "blueprint" for holometabolous insects. The chapter also demonstrates similarities between the response characteristics of visual neurons and neck motoneurons that are activated by specific direction and velocities of moving gratings. Lastly, the chapter demonstrates that descending visual interneurons do indeed respond to panoramic visual motion, as well as to mechanosensory stimuli that would be perceived during flight.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Head-Neck Sensory Motor System
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)9780199847198
ISBN (Print)9780195068207
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 22 2012

Keywords

  • Calliphora erythrocephala
  • Holometabolous insects
  • Interneurons
  • Manduca sexta
  • Motoneurons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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