Age‐related and light‐induced plasticity in opsin gene expression and in primary and secondary visual centers of the nectar‐feeding ant <i>Camponotus rufipes</i>

Yilmaz, Ayse Selen; Lindenberg, Annekathrin; Albert, Štefan; Grübel, Kornelia; Spaethe, Johannes; Rößler, Wolfgang; Groh, Claudia

doi:10.1002/dneu.22374

Cited by 48 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…Alternatively, other central brain areas like the lateral protocerebrum (anterior optic tubercle; [23, 77]) and the central complex ( Drosophila : [78]), or even more peripheral (and upstream) neuropils, like the relatively large medulla [66] and lobula [65], may also play a role in visual memory depending upon the type of conditioning experienced by an individual. The latter may be supported by the observation that first light exposure leads to a significant volume increase in the peripheral optic neuropils in ants [79]. Therefore, the present work underpins that the highly parallel organization of the visual system requires more detailed studies, which aim to link color learning experiments with potentially distributed neuronal plasticity underlying long-term memory formation, to take more brain subdivisions and fine structure (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Does Fine Color Discrimination Learning in Free-Flying Honeybees Change Mushroom-Body Calyx Neuroarchitecture?

et al. 2016

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Honeybees learn color information of rewarding flowers and recall these memories in future decisions. For fine color discrimination, bees require differential conditioning with a concurrent presentation of target and distractor stimuli to form a long-term memory. Here we investigated whether the long-term storage of color information shapes the neural network of microglomeruli in the mushroom body calyces and if this depends on the type of conditioning. Free-flying honeybees were individually trained to a pair of perceptually similar colors in either absolute conditioning towards one of the colors or in differential conditioning with both colors. Subsequently, bees of either conditioning groups were tested in non-rewarded discrimination tests with the two colors. Only bees trained with differential conditioning preferred the previously learned color, whereas bees of the absolute conditioning group, and a stimuli-naïve group, chose randomly among color stimuli. All bees were then kept individually for three days in the dark to allow for complete long-term memory formation. Whole-mount immunostaining was subsequently used to quantify variation of microglomeruli number and density in the mushroom-body lip and collar. We found no significant differences among groups in neuropil volumes and total microglomeruli numbers, but learning performance was negatively correlated with microglomeruli density in the absolute conditioning group. Based on these findings we aim to promote future research approaches combining behaviorally relevant color learning tests in honeybees under free-flight conditions with neuroimaging analysis; we also discuss possible limitations of this approach.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Does Fine Color Discrimination Learning in Free-Flying Honeybees Change Mushroom-Body Calyx Neuroarchitecture?

et al. 2016

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“…Two major higher brain areas in social insects exhibit experience-dependent plasticity due to foraging activity: the mushroom bodies (Yilmaz et al, 2016) and the central complex (Schmitt et al, 2016). The mushroom bodies are paired neuropils known to be involved in olfactory learning and memory (Owald and Waddell, 2015), as well as visual learning in discrimination tasks (Vogt et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Neurocomputational Model of Goal-Directed Navigation in Insect-Inspired Artificial Agents

2017

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Despite their small size, insect brains are able to produce robust and efficient navigation in complex environments. Specifically in social insects, such as ants and bees, these navigational capabilities are guided by orientation directing vectors generated by a process called path integration. During this process, they integrate compass and odometric cues to estimate their current location as a vector, called the home vector for guiding them back home on a straight path. They further acquire and retrieve path integration-based vector memories globally to the nest or based on visual landmarks. Although existing computational models reproduced similar behaviors, a neurocomputational model of vector navigation including the acquisition of vector representations has not been described before. Here we present a model of neural mechanisms in a modular closed-loop control—enabling vector navigation in artificial agents. The model consists of a path integration mechanism, reward-modulated global learning, random search, and action selection. The path integration mechanism integrates compass and odometric cues to compute a vectorial representation of the agent's current location as neural activity patterns in circular arrays. A reward-modulated learning rule enables the acquisition of vector memories by associating the local food reward with the path integration state. A motor output is computed based on the combination of vector memories and random exploration. In simulation, we show that the neural mechanisms enable robust homing and localization, even in the presence of external sensory noise. The proposed learning rules lead to goal-directed navigation and route formation performed under realistic conditions. Consequently, we provide a novel approach for vector learning and navigation in a simulated, situated agent linking behavioral observations to their possible underlying neural substrates.

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“…MB microglomeruli exhibit a remarkable structural plasticity depending on postembryonic brood care, age, sensory experience (olfactory and visual) and memory formation (reviewed in Rössler and Groh, 2012). Visual-related structural plasticity has been described in MB microglomeruli of honeybees and ants (Krofczik et al, 2008; Stieb et al, 2010, 2012; Yilmaz et al, 2016). Given that the microglomerular synaptic clusters in the MBU and LBU are probably involved in sky-cue and/or visuospatial processing, it is worth determining if visual experience also promotes structural and functional plasticity in these structures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synaptic Organization of Microglomerular Clusters in the Lateral and Medial Bulbs of the Honeybee Brain

et al. 2016

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The honeybee Apis mellifera is an established model for the study of visual orientation. Yet, research on this topic has focused on behavioral aspects and has neglected the investigation of the underlying neural architectures in the bee brain. In other insects, the anterior optic tubercle (AOTU), the lateral (LX) and the central complex (CX) are important brain regions for visuospatial performances. In the central brain of the honeybee, a prominent group of neurons connecting the AOTU with conspicuous microglomerular synaptic structures in the LX has been recently identified, but their neural organization and ultrastructure have not been investigated. Here we characterized these microglomerular structures by means of immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses, in order to evaluate neurotransmission and synaptic organization. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic microglomerular regions were performed based on confocal microscopy. Each pre-synaptic region appears as a large cup-shaped profile that embraces numerous post-synaptic profiles of GABAergic tangential neurons connecting the LX to the CX. We also identified serotonergic broad field neurons that probably provide modulatory input from the CX to the synaptic microglomeruli in the LX. Two distinct clusters of microglomerular structures were identified in the lateral bulb (LBU) and medial bulb (MBU) of the LX. Although the ultrastructure of both clusters is very similar, we found differences in the number of microglomeruli and in the volume of the pre-synaptic profiles of each cluster. We discuss the possible role of these microglomerular clusters in the visuospatial behavior of honeybees and propose research avenues for studying their neural plasticity and synaptic function.

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Age‐related and light‐induced plasticity in opsin gene expression and in primary and secondary visual centers of the nectar‐feeding ant Camponotus rufipes

Abstract: Cover: The cover image, by Ayse Yilmaz et al., is based on the Research Article Age-related and light-induced plasticity in opsin gene expression and in primary and secondary visual centers of the nectar-feeding ant Camponotus rufipes,

Cited by 48 publications

References 93 publications

Does Fine Color Discrimination Learning in Free-Flying Honeybees Change Mushroom-Body Calyx Neuroarchitecture?

Does Fine Color Discrimination Learning in Free-Flying Honeybees Change Mushroom-Body Calyx Neuroarchitecture?

A Neurocomputational Model of Goal-Directed Navigation in Insect-Inspired Artificial Agents

Synaptic Organization of Microglomerular Clusters in the Lateral and Medial Bulbs of the Honeybee Brain

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