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The mapping of visual space by dragonfly lateral ocelli

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Abstract

We study the extent to which the lateral ocelli of dragonflies are able to resolve and map spatial information, following the recent finding that the median ocellus is adapted for spatial resolution around the horizon. Physiological optics are investigated by the hanging-drop technique and related to morphology as determined by sectioning and three-dimensional reconstruction. L-neuron morphology and physiology are investigated by intracellular electrophysiology, white noise analysis and iontophoretic dye injection. The lateral ocellar lens consists of a strongly curved outer surface, and two distinct inner surfaces that separate the retina into dorsal and ventral components. The focal plane lies within the dorsal retina but proximal to the ventral retina. Three identified L-neurons innervate the dorsal retina and extend the one-dimensional mapping arrangement of median ocellar L-neurons, with fields of view that are directed at the horizon. One further L-neuron innervates the ventral retina and is adapted for wide-field intensity summation. In both median and lateral ocelli, a distinct subclass of descending L-neuron carries multi-sensory information via graded and regenerative potentials. Dragonfly ocelli are adapted for high sensitivity as well as a modicum of resolution, especially in elevation, suggesting a role for attitude stabilisation by localization of the horizon.

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Abbreviations

BFD:

Back focal distance

LCD:

Liquid crystal display

L-neuron:

Large second-order ocellar neuron

LED:

Light emitting diode

PSL:

Posterior slope

S-neuron:

Small second-order ocellar neuron

UV:

Ultraviolet

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Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), contract AOARD−03–4009. We thank Dr. Michael Ibbotson for providing some of the necessary software to generate three-dimensional reconstructions. The experiments described herein comply with guidelines supplied by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of the Australian National University, and also with the current laws of Australia, where the experiments were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Visual Sciences, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    Richard Berry, Joshua van Kleef & Gert Stange

  2. Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, PO Box 475, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

    Richard Berry

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  1. Richard Berry
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  2. Joshua van Kleef
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  3. Gert Stange
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Correspondence to Richard Berry.

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Berry, R., van Kleef, J. & Stange, G. The mapping of visual space by dragonfly lateral ocelli. J Comp Physiol A 193, 495–513 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0204-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-006-0204-8

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