Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Infrequent strong connections constrain connectomic predictions of neuronal function

The paper compares connectomic predictions of neuronal function with physiological measurements in fruit flies, finding that predictions are accurate for some properties but poor for others, and that strong synaptic inputs have a significant influence on function.

Acute stress modulates early visual perception and decision-making speed in bees without compromising accuracy

This study shows acute stress in bees changes visual perception and decision-making speed without affecting accuracy.

Comparative connectomics of two distantly related nematode species reveals patterns of nervous system evolution

The paper compares the nervous systems of two nematode species to identify patterns of evolutionary change in their connectomes.

Hunchback functions in the post-mitotic larval MDN to restrict axon outgrowth, synapse formation, and backward locomotion

This study shows that Hunchback (Hb) in Drosophila larval MDN neurons restricts axon outgrowth, synapse formation, and backward locomotion by maintaining mature neuronal identity.

Recurrent connectivity supports carbon dioxide sensitivity in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

The paper analyzes CO2-sensing circuits in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, finding high recurrent connectivity among CO2-sensitive neurons and proposing it enhances CO2 detection.

Mating status-dependent dopaminergic modulation of auditory sensory neurons in Drosophila

This study shows that dopaminergic signaling via Dop1R2 modulates auditory sensory neuron responses in Drosophila females based on their mating status, affecting song response behavior.

Drosophila males integrate song and pheromones usingcontext-specific strategies

This study identifies context-specific integration strategies in Drosophila males for combining song and taste cues during social interactions.

Cell type-specific contributions to a persistent aggressive internal state in female Drosophila

The paper investigates the roles of aIPg and pC1d cell types in generating a persistent aggressive internal state in female Drosophila, finding that aIPg stimulation induces aggression while pC1d stimulation does not, and that pC1d and pC1e work synergistically.

Population-level morphological analysis of paired CO2- and odor-sensing olfactory neurons in D. melanogaster via volume electron microscopy

The paper analyzes dendritic morphology of CO2- and odor-sensing olfactory neurons in Drosophila using electron microscopy, revealing morphological diversity even among homotypic neurons.

A lateralized sensory signaling pathway mediates context-dependent olfactory plasticity in C. elegans

The paper shows that asymmetric molecular mechanisms in C. elegans AWC neurons drive symmetric odor response plasticity, revealing how lateralized signaling enhances behavioral flexibility.

Intra- and Interspecific Divergence of FXPRLamide Neuropeptide-Receptor Interactions in flies (Diptera)

This paper compares neuropeptide-receptor interactions in two Diptera species, showing structural and functional divergence in peptide binding and receptor recognition.

Nighttime Caffeine Intake Increases Motor Impulsivity

This study shows that nighttime caffeine intake impairs inhibitory control in Drosophila, increasing motor impulsivity, with females more affected than males.

cAMP-related second messenger pathways modulate hearing function in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

The paper investigates how octopamine and its receptors modulate hearing function in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, identifying cAMP as a mediator and showing no link between hair erection and frequency tuning.

Sexual Failure Decreases Sweet Taste Perception in Male Drosophila via Dopaminergic Signaling

This study shows that repeated mating failure in male Drosophila reduces sweet taste perception through dopamine signaling in specific neural circuits.

mKast knockout honey bees show defects in brain functions underlying homing ability

This study shows that mKast knockout honey bees have defects in brain functions related to homing ability and survival outside the colony.

Drosophila's sensory responses to bacterial peptidoglycan integrates positive and negative signals

This study shows that Drosophila integrates positive and negative signals from bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) to make behavioral decisions.

A genome-wide association study implicates the olfactory system in Drosophila diapause-associated lifespan extension and fecundity

This study identifies genetic variants and genes associated with diapause in Drosophila, linking them to olfactory and reproductive systems.

Control of walking direction by descending and dopaminergic neurons in Drosophila

The paper identifies two neuronal populations in Drosophila that control distinct aspects of walking direction on different hierarchical levels, showing their activity correlates with specific turning behaviors.

Low Angle Ring Illumination Stereomicroscopy (LARIS): An improved imaging method of Drosophila compound eyes.

This paper introduces LARIS, a new imaging technique for Drosophila compound eyes, providing high-contrast images with better resolution and clarity than conventional methods.

Whole-body connectome of a segmented annelid larva

The paper describes the whole-body synaptic connectome of a segmented annelid larva, identifying segment-specific and repeated cell types and pathways.

Neural circuit mechanisms for steering control in walking Drosophila

This study identifies descending neurons in Drosophila that predict and influence orientation during walking, showing they integrate internal and external steering signals to produce flexible control.

The neurotrophin DNT-2 regulates cell survival and connectivity via the Toll-2 receptor during visual system development of Drosophila

This study identifies DNT-2 and Toll-2 as regulators of cell survival and connectivity in Drosophila visual system development through trophic signaling.

Single-Nucleus Neuronal Transcriptional Profiling of Male C. elegans Uncovers Regulators of Sex-Specific and Sex-Shared Behaviors

The paper profiles single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from male and hermaphrodite C. elegans neurons to identify sex-specific and sex-shared transcriptional regulators of behavior.

Integration of parallel pathways for flight control in a hawkmoth reflects prevalence and relevance of natural visual cues

The paper investigates how hawkmoths integrate conflicting visual pathways for flight control, showing that integration reflects the relevance of natural visual cues rather than their magnitude.

Sensitivity to Cuticular Hydrocarbons Across the Odorant Receptor Family in the Indian Jumping Ant

The paper characterizes the sensitivity of odorant receptors in the Indian jumping ant to cuticular hydrocarbons, finding that multiple receptors across subfamilies contribute to CHC detection.

Antennal RNAseq reveals odorant receptors with sex-biased expression in the common eastern firefly, Photinus pyralis

The paper identifies sex-biased odorant receptor expression in the common eastern firefly, suggesting a role in mating signals despite its reliance on visual flashing.

Motor history influences behavioral strategy more than response outcome in Drosophila melanogaster

The paper investigates how motor history affects decision-making in Drosophila, finding that past motor activity influences strategy more than response outcome.

Decoding sexual dimorphism of the sex-shared nervous system at single-neuron resolution

The paper profiles single-cell RNA sequencing data from sex-shared neurons in C. elegans to reveal molecular dimorphism and sex-biased gene expression patterns.

Neuron-Microenvironments Associated with Specific Long-Range Connectivity Reveal Functional Modules in the Adult Drosophila Brain

The paper uses a whole-brain EM dataset of Drosophila to analyze synapses and microenvironmental features, revealing functional modules in the adult brain.

Altered reactivity to threatening stimuli in Drosophila models of Parkinson's disease, revealed by a trial-based assay

This study uses a trial-based assay to show that Drosophila with Parkinson's-related genetic mutations exhibit altered reactivity to threatening stimuli, revealing potential insights into disease mechanisms.