Chemosensory Processing of Chemical Signals in Turbulent Plumes

许多动物利用气味来寻找食物和配偶，但在动荡的环境中，气味的环境分布非常复杂。确定动物使用气味和流动信息的方式，将澄清感觉神经细胞和大脑活动所需的能力，以指导化学感觉导航。该项目将气味浓度和流速场的详细测量与蓝蟹在水下进行化学介导觅食试验的行为测量相结合。新颖的激光荧光和数字粒子跟踪技术与先进的摄像技术一起使用，以获得有关化学感觉线索的三维数据，包括底部以上的多个高度。分析将测试触角的参与、局部与全局流体动力信号的相对重要性、全身化学感觉“对比”对转弯信号的使用、姿势和运动的垂直化学感觉信号的使用，以及流动环境如何影响信号结构和动物性能。研究结果对于理解与行为有关的流体动力学线索的重要性质非常重要，因此将对神经科学以外的领域产生影响，例如化学生态学、海洋和陆地生态学、动物行为、机器人和搜索算法。更广泛的影响还包括优秀的生物学和流体力学跨学科研究生培训，包括少数民族招聘。

Many animals use odors to find food and mates, but the environmental distribution of odors is very complex in turbulent environments. Determining the ways that animals use odor and flow information will clarify the capabilities needed for sensory nerve cells and brain activity to guide chemosensory navigation. This project combines detailed measurements of odor concentration and flow velocity fields with behavioral measurements of blue crabs underwater performing chemically mediated foraging trials. Novel laser fluorescence and digital particle-tracking technology is used with advanced videography to obtain three-dimensional data about the chemosensory cues, including multiple elevations above the bottom. Analysis will test the involvement of the antennules, the relative importance of local versus global hydrodynamic cues, the use of chemosensory 'contrast' across the body for turning cues, the use of vertical chemosensory cues for posture and locomotion, and how the flow environment affects signal structure and animal performance. Results will be important for understanding important properties about fluid dynamic cues involved in behavior, and so will have impact beyond neuroscience to fields such as chemical ecology, marine and terrestrial ecology, animal behavior, and robotics and search algorithms. Broader impacts also include excellent cross-disciplinary graduate training in biology and hydrodynamics, including minority recruitment.