Selective representations of texture and motion in mouse higher visual areas

Abstract

Mice have a constellation of higher visual areas, but their functional specializations are unclear. Here, we used a data-driven approach to examine neuronal representations of complex visual stimuli across mouse higher visual areas, measured using large field-of-view two-photon calcium imaging. Using specialized stimuli, we found higher fidelity representations of texture in area LM, compared to area AL. Complementarily, we found higher fidelity representations of motion in area AL, compared to area LM. We also observed this segregation of information in response to naturalistic videos. Finally, we explored how popular models of visual cortical neurons could produce the segregated representations of texture and motion we observed. These selective representations could aid in behaviors such as visually guided navigation.