The brain of Cataglyphis ants: Neuronal organization and visual projections
Please always quote using this URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218212
- 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 visualCataglyphis 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.…
Author: | Jens Habenstein, Emad Amini, Kornelia Grübel, Basil el Jundi, Wolfgang RösslerORCiD |
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URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218212 |
Document Type: | Journal article |
Faculties: | Fakultät für Biologie / Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften |
Language: | English |
Parent Title (English): | Journal of Comparative Neurology |
Year of Completion: | 2020 |
Volume: | 528 |
Issue: | 18 |
First Page: | 3479 |
Last Page: | 3506 |
Source: | Journal of Comparative Neurology 2020, 528(18):3479-3506. DOI: 10.1002/cne.24934 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.24934 |
Dewey Decimal Classification: | 5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 57 Biowissenschaften; Biologie / 570 Biowissenschaften; Biologie |
Tag: | 3D reconstruction; ant brain; antennal lobes; central complex; insect; mushroom bodies; optical tracts |
Release Date: | 2021/08/20 |
Licence (German): | CC BY-NC-ND: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung, Nicht kommerziell, Keine Bearbeitungen 4.0 International |