@article{FleischmannGrobRoessler2020, author = {Fleischmann, Pauline N. and Grob, Robin and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang}, title = {Kompass im Kopf : wie W{\"u}stenameisen lernen heimzukehren}, series = {Biologie in unserer Zeit}, volume = {50}, journal = {Biologie in unserer Zeit}, number = {2}, issn = {1521-415X}, doi = {10.1002/biuz.202010699}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-219260}, pages = {100-109}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Erfolgreiche r{\"a}umliche Orientierung ist f{\"u}r viele Tiere eine allt{\"a}gliche Herausforderung. Cataglyphis-W{\"u}stenameisen sind bekannt f{\"u}r ihre Navigationsf{\"a}higkeiten, mit deren Hilfe sie nach langen Futtersuchl{\"a}ufen problemlos zum Nest zur{\"u}ckfinden. Wie aber nehmen naive Ameisen ihre Navigationssysteme in Betrieb? Nach mehrw{\"o}chigem Innendienst im dunklen Nest werden sie zu Sammlerinnen bei hellem Sonnenschein. Dieser Wechsel erfordert einen drastischen Wandel im Verhalten sowie neuronale Ver{\"a}nderungen im Gehirn. Erfahrene Ameisen orientieren sich vor allem visuell, sie nutzen einen Himmelskompass und Landmarkenpanoramen. Daher absolvieren naive Ameisen stereotype Lernl{\"a}ufe, um ihren Kompass zu kalibrieren und die Nestumgebung kennenzulernen. W{\"a}hrend der Lernl{\"a}ufe blicken sie wiederholt zum Nesteingang zur{\"u}ck und pr{\"a}gen sich so ihren Heimweg ein. Zur Ausrichtung ihrer Blicke nutzen sie das Erdmagnetfeld als Kompassreferenz. Cataglyphis-Ameisen besitzen hierf{\"u}r einen Magnetkompass, der bislang unbekannt war.}, language = {de} } @article{GrohRoessler2020, author = {Groh, Claudia and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang}, title = {Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee}, series = {Insects}, volume = {11}, journal = {Insects}, number = {1}, issn = {2075-4450}, doi = {10.3390/insects11010043}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200774}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Mushroom bodies (MBs) are multisensory integration centers in the insect brain involved in learning and memory formation. In the honeybee, the main sensory input region (calyx) of MBs is comparatively large and receives input from mainly olfactory and visual senses, but also from gustatory/tactile modalities. Behavioral plasticity following differential brood care, changes in sensory exposure or the formation of associative long-term memory (LTM) was shown to be associated with structural plasticity in synaptic microcircuits (microglomeruli) within olfactory and visual compartments of the MB calyx. In the same line, physiological studies have demonstrated that MB-calyx microcircuits change response properties after associative learning. The aim of this review is to provide an update and synthesis of recent research on the plasticity of microcircuits in the MB calyx of the honeybee, specifically looking at the synaptic connectivity between sensory projection neurons (PNs) and MB intrinsic neurons (Kenyon cells). We focus on the honeybee as a favorable experimental insect for studying neuronal mechanisms underlying complex social behavior, but also compare it with other insect species for certain aspects. This review concludes by highlighting open questions and promising routes for future research aimed at understanding the causal relationships between neuronal and behavioral plasticity in this charismatic social insect.}, language = {en} } @article{HabensteinAminiGruebeletal.2020, author = {Habenstein, Jens and Amini, Emad and Gr{\"u}bel, Kornelia and el Jundi, Basil and R{\"o}ssler, Wolfgang}, title = {The brain of Cataglyphis ants: Neuronal organization and visual projections}, series = {Journal of Comparative Neurology}, volume = {528}, journal = {Journal of Comparative Neurology}, number = {18}, doi = {10.1002/cne.24934}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218212}, pages = {3479 -- 3506}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Cataglyphis ants are known for their outstanding navigational abilities. They return to their inconspicuous nest after far-reaching foraging trips using path integration, and whenever available, learn and memorize visual features of panoramic sceneries. To achieve this, the ants combine directional visual information from celestial cues and panoramic scenes with distance information from an intrinsic odometer. The largely vision-based navigation in Cataglyphis requires sophisticated neuronal networks to process the broad repertoire of visual stimuli. Although Cataglyphis ants have been subjected to many neuroethological studies, little is known about the general neuronal organization of their central brain and the visual pathways beyond major circuits. Here, we provide a comprehensive, three-dimensional neuronal map of synapse-rich neuropils in the brain of Cataglyphis nodus including major connecting fiber systems. In addition, we examined neuronal tracts underlying the processing of visual information in more detail. This study revealed a total of 33 brain neuropils and 30 neuronal fiber tracts including six distinct tracts between the optic lobes and the cerebrum. We also discuss the importance of comparative studies on insect brain architecture for a profound understanding of neuronal networks and their function.}, language = {en} }