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Science 16 February 2007:
Vol. 315. no. 5814, pp. 995 - 997
DOI: 10.1126/science.1135531
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Reports

Maplike Representation of Celestial E-Vector Orientations in the Brain of an Insect

Stanley Heinze and Uwe Homberg*

For many insects, the polarization pattern of the blue sky serves as a compass cue for spatial navigation. E-vector orientations are detected by photoreceptors in a dorsal rim area of the eye. Polarized-light signals from both eyes are finally integrated in the central complex, a brain area consisting of two subunits, the protocerebral bridge and the central body. Here we show that a topographic representation of zenithal E-vector orientations underlies the columnar organization of the protocerebral bridge in a locust. The maplike arrangement is highly suited to signal head orientation under the open sky.

Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Philipps University, 35032 Marburg, Germany.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: homberg{at}staff.uni-marburg.de

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Brain organization and the origin of insects: an assessment.
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Proc R Soc B 276, 1929-1937
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Desert ants do not rely on sky compass information for the perception of inclined path segments.
D. Hess, J. Koch, and B. Ronacher (2009)
J. Exp. Biol. 212, 1528-1534
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Differential roles of the fan-shaped body and the ellipsoid body in Drosophila visual pattern memory.
Y. Pan, Y. Zhou, C. Guo, H. Gong, Z. Gong, and L. Liu (2009)
Learn. Mem. 16, 289-295
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Linking the Input to the Output: New Sets of Neurons Complement the Polarization Vision Network in the Locust Central Complex.
S. Heinze and U. Homberg (2009)
J. Neurosci. 29, 4911-4921
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Polarized Skylight Navigation in Insects: Model and Electrophysiology of e-Vector Coding by Neurons in the Central Complex.
M. Sakura, D. Lambrinos, and T. Labhart (2008)
J Neurophysiol 99, 667-682
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Evolving a Neural Model of Insect Path Integration.
T. Haferlach, J. Wessnitzer, M. Mangan, and B. Webb (2007)
Adaptive Behavior 15, 273-287
   Abstract »    PDF »
The Ancestral Circadian Clock of Monarch Butterflies: Role in Time-compensated Sun Compass Orientation.
S. M. Reppert (2007)
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 72, 113-118
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E-Letters:

Read all E-Letters

Animal Navigation and Polarization Patterns of Scattered Directional Sunlight in Nature
Talbot H. Waterman
Science Online, 21 Jun 2007 [Full text]
Response to Talbot H. Waterman
Stanley Heinze, et al.
Science Online, 21 Jun 2007 [Full text]

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)