Descending and Local Network Interactions Control Adaptive Locomotion.

摘要

We demonstrated in both tethered and freely walking cockroaches that lateral central complex (CX) regions are tuned to turning, while midline regions have elevated activity prior to climbing. We demonstrated a link between CX activity and leg control. Lesion of the CX evokes reflex reversals and stimulation in CX recording sites associated with turning generate reversals consistent with turning. We extended these studies to the CX of praying mantises as they track prey. As a predator this cockroach relative allows examination of targeting, tracking and changes in physiological state; with satiety, mantises switch from stalking to ambush strategies. Recordings in CX indicate activity related to attention to a prey movements. We developed a computational neuroscience model of local reflexes and CPGs of each insect leg joint that accounted for cockroach turning movements and demonstrated it in a robotic leg model. This model was adapted to praying mantis head and thorax movements and accounts for mantis tracking and stalking behavior. Simultaneous recording of wing movements and flight muscle activity showed significant differences between freely flying moths with and without information on wing movements provided by the mechanosensory structure (the tegulae).