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- Title
Emergent spatial goals in an integrative model of the insect central complex.
- Authors
Goulard, Roman; Heinze, Stanley; Webb, Barbara
- Abstract
The insect central complex appears to encode and process spatial information through vector manipulation. Here, we draw on recent insights into circuit structure to fuse previous models of sensory-guided navigation, path integration and vector memory. Specifically, we propose that the allocentric encoding of location provided by path integration creates a spatially stable anchor for converging sensory signals that is relevant in multiple behavioural contexts. The allocentric reference frame given by path integration transforms a goal direction into a goal location and we demonstrate through modelling that it can enhance approach of a sensory target in noisy, cluttered environments or with temporally sparse stimuli. We further show the same circuit can improve performance in the more complex navigational task of route following. The model suggests specific functional roles for circuit elements of the central complex that helps explain their high preservation across insect species. Author summary: Even tiny animals with reduced neuronal resources need to solve 2 dimension spatial problems. In this paper, we modelled a neural network, based on the central complex connectivity, that sustains insect visual-guided navigation both to a landmark and following a previously learned route. This combined different features that have been previously highlighted in the insect brain, (1) an inner compass, allowing an allocentric representation of their orientation, (2) a positioning system, inherited from their ability to integrate their path, (3) a long-term memory of relevant locations in the environment, that allows insect to revisit feeders repeatedly for example, and (4) a sensory guidance system that provides a stable goal direction when a rewarded signal is provided. We combined these different circuits in an complementary fashion, suggesting a crucial role for path integration in all insect navigation, beyond simply ensuring homing behaviour. Specifically, using the capability of the central complex neuronal circuit to store and manipulate navigational vectors, our implementation encodes the allocentric position of the navigation goal by combining a sensory-based vector, directed toward a goal, and a homing vector, directed toward a stable origin. We show this improves significantly the navigation in two visual-guidance paradigms, reaching a distant recognised target and following a route based on a panoramic memory.
- Subjects
LONG-term memory; INSECTS; CIRCUIT elements; INSECT collection &; preservation
- Publication
PLoS Computational Biology, 2023, Vol 19, Issue 12, p1
- ISSN
1553-734X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011480