Threshold-Based Ordering of Sequential Actions during Drosophila Courtship

Goal-directed animal behaviors are typically composed of sequences of motor actions whose order and timing are critical for a successful outcome. Although numerous theoretical models for sequential action generation have been proposed, few have been supported by the identification of control neurons...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current biology 2019-02, Vol.29 (3), p.426-434.e6
Main Authors: McKellar, Claire E., Lillvis, Joshua L., Bath, Daniel E., Fitzgerald, James E., Cannon, John G., Simpson, Julie H., Dickson, Barry J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
behavior
Courtship
Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster - physiology
Male
motor control
Neurons - physiology
sequence
Sexual Behavior, Animal
spike counting
threshold
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Summary:Goal-directed animal behaviors are typically composed of sequences of motor actions whose order and timing are critical for a successful outcome. Although numerous theoretical models for sequential action generation have been proposed, few have been supported by the identification of control neurons sufficient to elicit a sequence. Here, we identify a pair of descending neurons that coordinate a stereotyped sequence of engagement actions during Drosophila melanogaster male courtship behavior. These actions are initiated sequentially but persist cumulatively, a feature not explained by existing models of sequential behaviors. We find evidence consistent with a ramp-to-threshold mechanism, in which increasing neuronal activity elicits each action independently at successively higher activity thresholds. [Display omitted] •A descending neuron, aSP22, controls multiple actions in Drosophila male courtship•aSP22 activation triggers these actions in the same sequence as found in courtship•The courtship actions are sequenced by a ramp-to-threshold mechanism•Distinct action thresholds are best explained by spike count, not spike frequency McKellar et al. show that Drosophila courtship includes a stereotyped behavioral motif consisting of several overlapping actions. These multiple actions are controlled by a single pair of sexually dimorphic descending neurons. These neurons elicit each successive action at progressively higher threshold spike counts.
ISSN:0960-9822
1879-0445
DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2018.12.019