Neural circuits and behavioral algorithms of path integration in freely walking Drosophila
Final Report Abstract
Many insects, especially bees and ants, are known for their ability to use path integration to remember important places in the environment, such as the location of their nest and their food. This ability is vital for navigation and ultimately survival. These species have in common that they return to their nest repeatedly. In contrast, previous attempts to identify path integration behavior in the fly Drosophila melanogaster, well known as a genetic model organism but without a stationary nest, had previously resulted in experimental data with plausible alternative explanations. In this project, we provided evidence that flies are capable of remembering a specific location using path integration. Due to the genetic toolkit available for further experimentation in Drosophila, this finding opens the door to understanding the mechanisms by which this memory-based behavior is implemented. We began to use this genetic toolkit to dissect visual navigation behavior in Drosophila, namely how flies walk to align with polarized light. We discovered that some neurons, when we interfered with their activity, caused a reduction in polarization alignment. Interfering with the activity of other neurons on the same anatomical pathway, however, resulted in increased alignment to polarized light. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear and could be the subject of further investigations. Together, our achievements highlight the promise that Drosophila holds for understanding the neural circuit mechanisms behind navigation behavior in insects. Ultimately, this may have ramifications for human health, autonomous robotic systems, and an appreciation for the solutions of the natural world.
Publications
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Displacement experiments provide evidence for path integration in Drosophila. Journal of Experimental Biology, 226(12).
Titova, Anna V.; Kau, Benedikt E.; Tibor, Shir; Mach, Jana; Vo-Doan, T. Thang; Wittlinger, Matthias & Straw, Andrew D.
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Contradictory behavioral effects of neuronal perturbations on behavioral responses to linearly polarized light in freely walking Drosophila.
Titova, Anna V. & Straw, Andrew D.
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Navigation in Drosophila melanogaster: insights from experiments on freely walking flies. PhD thesis, University of Freiburg, 2024.
Titova A.V.
