Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A neural model of the interaction of tectal columns in prey-catching behavior

  • Published:
Biological Cybernetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Building on a simple model of a tectal column as the unit of processing in the amphibian tectum, we conduct a computer analysis of the interaction of a linear array of such columns. The model suggests that the inhibitory and excitatory activity in the tectum may have three functions: 1) spatiotemporal facilitation of column activity to a moving stimulus; 2) preference for the head of the stimulus, probably to avoid possible defensive reactions of the prey; and 3) modulating the state of excitation of the column once it has produced a response. The model also shows that the spatio-temporal effects of excitation and inhibition increases the acuity of the animal to the direction of the prey, through processes similar to lateral inhibition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Comer, C., Grobstein, P.: Prey acquisition in atectal frogs. Brain Res. 153, 217–221 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J.C.: The understanding of the brain, New York: McGraw-Hill 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.P.: Neural mechanisms of prey-catching behavior and avoidance in the toad (Bufo bufo L). Brain Behav. Evol. 3, 35–56 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.P.: Single unit response of the toad's caudal thalamus to visual objects. Verg. Physiologie 74, 81–102 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.P.: The visual system of the toad: behavioral and physiological studies in a pattern recognition system. In: The amphibian visual system, Fite, K. (ed.), pp. 142–202. London,New York: Academic Press 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Grüsser, O.J., Grüsser-Cornehls, V.: Neurophysiology of the anurans visual system. In: Frog Neurobiology. Llinas, R., Precht, W. (eds.), pp. 297–385. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D.: Prey catching behavior of anurans toward moving and stationary objects. Vision Res. Suppl. 3, 447–456 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D.: Disinhibition of tectal neurons by pretectal lesions in the frog. Science 180, 422–424 (1973a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D.: Selective choice between double prey objects by frogs. Brain Behav. Evol. 7, 127–144 (1973b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D.: Focal attention in the frog: behavioral and physiological correlates. Science 188, 1033–1035 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D.: Spatial visions in anurans. In: The amphibian visual system. Fite, K. (ed.), pp. 119–140. New York: Academic Press 1976a

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D.: Central visual mechanisms in anurans. In: Neurobiology of the Frog. Llinas, R., Precht, W. (eds.), pp. 435–451. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1976b

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., McKinley, D.: Effect of stimulus configuration on elicited prey catching by the marine toad. Anim. Behav. 26, 885–891 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lara, R., Arbib, M.A.: A neural model of interaction between pretectum and tectum in prey selection. Cognition and Brain Theory 5 (1982)

  • Lara, R., Arbib, M.A., Cromarty, A.S.: The role of the tectal column in facilitation of amphibian prey-catching behavior: a neural model. J. Neuroscience 2, 521–530 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lettvin, J.Y., Maturana, H., McCulloch, W.S., Pitts, W.H.: What the frog's eye tells the frog's brain. Proc. IRE 47, 1940–1951 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Purpura, P.D.: Operations and processes in thalamic and synaptically related neural sybsystems. In: The Neurosciences: second study program. Schmitt, F.O. (ed.), pp. 458–471. New York: The Rockefeller University Press 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Székely, G., Czeh, G.: Organization of locomotion. In: Frog neurobiology. Llinas, R., Precht, W. (eds.), pp. 765–792. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Székely, G., Lázár, E.: Cellular and synaptic architecture of the optic tectum. In: Frog neurobiology. Llinas, R., Precht, W. (eds.). Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1976

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Rolando Lara

    Present address: Centro de Investigaciones en Fisiologia Celular, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, A.P. 70-600, Mexico 20, D.F., Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Systems Neuroscience, Computer and Information Science Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

    Michel A. Arbib & Rolando Lara

Authors
  1. Michel A. Arbib
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rolando Lara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The search reported in this paper was supported in part by NIH grant NS14971-02. Our thanks to Peter Ewert and David Ingle for valuable discussions of the experimental data; and to Andrew Cromarty and Donald House for their help with the computer implementation

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arbib, M.A., Lara, R. A neural model of the interaction of tectal columns in prey-catching behavior. Biol. Cybern. 44, 185–196 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344274

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344274

Keywords

Search

Navigation