Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Relative reward memories retain multidimensional information in bumblebees

This study shows bumblebees retain multidimensional information about rewards in memory, preferring options that were better on multiple dimensions over those better on a single dimension.

Associative learning reconfigures colour-guided behaviour in Drosophila larvae

This study shows Drosophila larvae can learn to avoid specific colors associated with electric shocks, demonstrating elementary color vision and the role of photoreceptor pathways in learned behavior.

Brain state locks silent memories in a trained fly connectome

The paper demonstrates that a fixed neural wiring diagram in Drosophila can store and retrieve memories through neuronal adaptation, dependent on specific brain states.

Spontaneous neural activity in the developing ant olfactory system

This study investigates spontaneous neural activity in developing ant olfactory sensory neurons and finds stage-dependent patterns similar to mammals.

An information-theoretic analysis of the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) antenna reveals trichoid sensilla as the main carriers of odor identity

This paper uses information-theoretic methods to analyze tsetse fly antenna responses to odors, finding that trichoid sensilla carry more odor identity information than basiconic sensilla.

Connectome simulations identify a central pattern generator circuit for fly walking

The paper identifies a minimal central pattern generator circuit for fly walking using connectome simulations and experimental validation.

The sex determination gene fruitless is essential for male Aedes aegypti mosquito swarming and attraction to female flight sounds

This study shows that the fruitless gene in male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is essential for swarming and attraction to female flight sounds, with its disruption causing loss of these behaviors.

foxQ2 marks fast-acting interneurons including dopaminergic neurons of mushroom bodies and central complex in the beetle T. castaneum

Focal neuronal loss and cell replacement in a connectome model of fly steering

The paper uses a connectome model of the fruit-fly nervous system to simulate motor recovery after neuronal loss, finding that targeted cell replacement based on identity and connections improves recovery.

Heterogeneous responses to embryonic critical period perturbations within the Drosophila larval locomotor circuit.

The paper shows that different parts of the Drosophila larval locomotor network respond differently to heat stress during a critical period, leading to varied functional and structural changes.

Sex peptide-SPR-serotonin signaling regulates mating-induced Sex peptide replenishment in Drosophila, suggesting an ancestral role in males

This study identifies a male-specific role for SP-SPR signaling in regulating mating-induced Sex peptide replenishment in Drosophila, suggesting an ancestral function before its known role in female post-mating responses.

Sex-specific dynamics of activity-dependent regulation of synaptic CaMKII

The paper investigates sex-specific regulation of CaMKII in Drosophila, showing differences in steady-state and activity-dependent levels between males and females without affecting plasticity.

Breaking Symmetry in Walking: Drosophila Recruits Task- and Leg-Specific Motor Modules for Curve Walking

This study identifies task- and leg-specific motor modules in Drosophila that enable curve walking by reconfiguring leg kinematics for arcs and turns.

Morphology and ultrastructure of pharyngeal sense organs of Drosophila larvae

This paper provides a detailed ultrastructural analysis of pharyngeal sensory organs in Drosophila larvae, identifying and classifying different types of sensilla and neurons.

Olfactory combinatorial coding supports risk-reward decision making in C. elegans

This study shows that 1-octanol is encoded as both an attractant and repellant in C. elegans, with central integration determining behavioral response valence and sensitivity.

Temporal resolution of C. vicina compound eyes and ocelli

This study measures the critical flicker fusion frequency of compound eyes and ocelli in blowflies to understand their temporal resolution capabilities.

Motivation to work for amino acids requires acute dopaminergic activity.

The paper introduces a new assay, FLAME, to measure motivation in Drosophila by assessing willingness to overcome agarose barriers for nutrients, showing dopamine neuron activity is required for amino acid seeking.

Pilifers provide rapid mechanosensory feedback during floral tracking in hawkmoths

This study investigates whether pilifers provide mechanosensory feedback during floral tracking in hawkmoths, finding that they respond to lateral motions with rapid latency and extensive neural connections.

Evolutionary diversification of shared brain and nerve cord neuronal populations in Drosophila melanogaster

The paper identifies serial homology between neuronal populations in the Drosophila melanogaster brain and ventral nerve cord using lineage reporters, single-cell transcriptomics, and a connectome.

Nonlinear sensory integration drives configural olfactory representations

The paper shows that nonlinear sensory integration in C. elegans creates configural olfactory representations, linking neural dynamics to perceptual outcomes.

Food perception alone stimulates oviposition through serotonin signaling in Drosophila

This study shows that food perception alone, through olfactory signaling and serotonin receptors, stimulates oviposition in Drosophila without requiring nutrient intake.

Effort experience as a driver of behavioral modulation in Caenorhabditis elegans

This study shows that prior high effort in C. elegans increases subsequent food approach and aversive barrier crossing, with effects lasting up to 1 hour.

A male-specific neural circuit for appetitive thirst in Drosophila

The paper identifies a male-specific neural circuit in Drosophila that mediates appetitive thirst by integrating neuropeptide signals and regulating motivated behaviors.

Online extinction and novelty-triggered recovery of life-long visual memories in navigating ants

This study shows that ants dynamically update visual memories during navigation, with extinction occurring continuously and recovery triggered by novel visual input.

Distinct genetic requirements underlie LITE-1-dependent photosensation and avoidance of high concentration of diacetyl in C. elegans

The paper shows that LITE-1 in C. elegans uses distinct genetic pathways for photosensation and chemosensation of diacetyl.

A gαq signaling pathway in dopaminergic neurons suppresses memory

This study identifies Gq signaling in dopaminergic neurons as a memory suppressor in Drosophila using aversive conditioning and imaging techniques.

Positive and negative cognitive biases in a cockroach

This study tests positive and negative cognitive biases in cockroaches to assess the presence of affective states in invertebrates.

State dependent modulation of optic flow-processing lobula plate cells in butterflies

The paper shows that optic flow-processing interneurons in butterflies increase baseline spiking activity during wing flapping and phase-lock to the wing-beat cycle, suggesting suppression of self-generated visual motion signals.

RTK signaling and epidermis remodeling instruct dendrite regrowth after pruning in the Drosophila PNS

The paper shows that dendrite regrowth in Drosophila PNS neurons depends on RTKs and epidermal remodeling during metamorphosis, linking pruning and regrowth to ecdysone signaling.

Neprilysin 1 in the Mushroom Body controls Feeding behavior by regulating SIFamide levels in Drosophila melanogaster

This study identifies Neprilysin 1 in the mushroom bodies as a regulator of SIFamide levels, which control feeding behavior in Drosophila melanogaster by shaping SIFamidergic signaling.