Detection of polarized light mediates defensive responses in arthropods

LUCCA SALOMÓN; PEREZ SCHUSTER VERONICA; GABRIELA HERMITTE; BERON DE ASTRADA, MARTIN

Córdoba

Congreso; Congreso Argentino de Neurociencias, 2019; 2019

Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias

Luminance changes and object motion detection provides essential cues for a wide variety of behaviors such as mate, prey or predator detection. In our lab we have been studying the neural circuits involved in detecting threatening visual stimuli in a highly visual crab. In this work we have started studying the changes in animal´s heart rate as a readout of sensory perception. By presenting a visual danger stimulus the animals responded by slowing their heart rate. There is a high correlation between this response and the intensity of stimulation. Detailed analyzes through electrocardiograms showed a heart rate dynamic in which two cardiac response phases can be distinguished. The phase I is an early response, temporarily located in the first half of the stimulation interval. Phase II, instead, is a later response, apparently supported by greater information integration. By using two stimulation protocols we have adapted both response phases differentially. Our results indicate that heart rate activity can be modulated, at least, by two visual detection systems. The biological purpose of such modulation as well as the concerted execution of other behavioral responses will be discussed at the poster.