A simple vision-based algorithm for decision making in flying Drosophila
A simple vision-based algorithm for decision making in flying Drosophila
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DOI：
10.1016/j.cub.2008.02.054
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发表时间：
2008-03-25
期刊：
影响因子：
9.2
通讯作者：
Dickinson, Michael H.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Maimon, Gaby;Straw, Andrew D.;Dickinson, Michael H.
动物必须迅速识别环境中的物体并采取相应的行动。先前的研究表明，隐约可见的物体会触发许多物种的回避反射[1-5];然而，这种反射在近距离内运作，可能无法在安全距离内检测到威胁性刺激。我们分析了果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）在自由飞行和系绳飞行模拟器中对简单视觉刺激的反应。果蝇和其他许多昆虫一样，会被长而垂直的物体吸引[610]，但我们发现，较小的视觉刺激引起的吸引力并不弱，而是强烈的排斥。因为对小斑点的厌恶取决于移动物体的垂直大小，而不是隐约可见，它可以在比膨胀依赖反射更远的距离上发挥作用。对长条纹和小斑点的相反反应反映了一种简单但有效的物体分类系统。长条纹的吸引力会导致苍蝇飞向植物栖息地或觅食地，而小斑点的排斥力会帮助它们避免空中捕食者或与其他昆虫的碰撞。果蝇飞行的运动依赖于这两个系统的平衡，为研究遗传模式生物中行为选择的神经基础提供了基础。
Animals must quickly recognize objects in their environment and act accordingly. Previous studies indicate that looming visual objects trigger avoidance reflexes in many species [1-5]; however, such reflexes operate over a close range and might not detect a threatening stimulus at a safe distance. We analyzed how fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) respond to simple visual stimuli both in free flight and in a tethered-flight simulator. Whereas Drosophila, like many other insects, are attracted toward long vertical objects [610], we found that smaller visual stimuli elicit not weak attraction but rather strong repulsion. Because aversion to small spots depends on the vertical size of a moving object, and not on looming, it can function at a much greater distance than expansion-dependent reflexes. The opposing responses to long stripes and small spots reflect a simple but effective object classification system. Attraction toward long stripes would lead flies toward vegetative perches or feeding sites, whereas repulsion from small spots would help them avoid aerial predators or collisions with other insects. The motion of flying Drosophila depends on a balance of these two systems, providing a foundation for studying the neural basis of behavioral choice in a genetic model organism.