Genetic and circuit bases of mechanically-induced predator avoidance in Platynereis dumerilii larvae

逃避捕食者一直是复杂神经系统进化的主要驱动力。躲避捕食者需要复杂的神经回路来实现对整个身体的协调控制。我们对涉及捕食者回避的完整神经回路以及这些神经回路如何控制整个生物体的知识有限。我们建议使用强大的遗传和神经科学模型，海洋环节动物Platynereis dumerilii，研究机械感觉电路介导的捕食者回避的功能。我们将研究如何Platynereis幼虫避免捕食两个刺胞动物的捕食者，水母Clytia和奥雷利亚。我们将使用一种综合的方法，结合行为，全身神经元连接组学，基因敲除，钙成像和热遗传学。Platynereis幼虫很小，非常适合通过连续切片电子显微镜进行全身成像和连接。幼虫具有典型的神经元回路，可以使用遗传工具以有针对性的方式识别和操纵单个神经元。使用实验生物与实验室繁殖文化将使我们能够研究电路基础的生态相关的行为在前所未有的细节。将全身神经元连接体和电路动力学种间相互作用的背景下，承诺海洋浮游动物和动物行为的神经行为学更全面的了解。

Escape from predators has been a major driving force in the evolution of complex nervous systems. Predator avoidance requires complex neuronal circuits to achieve the coordinated control of the whole body. We have limited knowledge of complete neuronal circuits involved in predator avoidance and how these achieve control over an entire organism. We propose to use the powerful genetic and neuroscience model, the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii, to study the function of mechanosensory circuits mediating predator avoidance. We will study how Platynereis larvae avoid predation by two cnidarian predators, the jellyfish Clytia and Aurelia. We will use an integrative approach combining behaviour, whole-body neuronal connectomics, gene knockouts, calcium imaging, and thermogenetics. Platynereis larvae are small and ideally suited for whole-body imaging and connectomics by serial sectioning electron microscopy. The larvae have stereotypical neuronal circuitry and individual neurons can be identified and manipulated in a targeted manner using genetic tools. The use of experimental organisms with laboratory breeding cultures will enable us to study the circuit bases of an ecologically relevant behaviour in unprecedented detail. Placing whole-body neuronal connectomes and circuit dynamics into the context of interspecific interactions promises a fuller understanding of the neuroethology of marine zooplankton and animal behaviour in general.