Summary
Visual interneurons in the median protocerebrum were electrophysiologically analysed. Over half of the units responded to more than one modality (light, scent, sugar water). As the intensity dependencies for these interneurons are rather complicated, their visual properties were characterized by measuring response/intensity functions (R/I-curves). No significant response differences were found for the different recording locations in the mushroom body region. The only apparent difference was that the interneurons' spontaneous discharge frequencies differed with recording site.
The visual interneurons revealed different classes of R/I-dependencies:
-
1.
R/I curves with positive slope and a wide response range;
-
2.
R/I curves with intensity specific response bands (I-bands);
-
3.
R/I curves with inhibition;
-
4.
R/I curves with little intensity dependence;
-
5.
R/I curves with colour specific response bands.
The spectral sensitivities of most units were broad. In all but one case narrow banded spectral sensitivities had a UV maximum. In many units the spectral sensitivities for the three temporal components of the response (on, sustained and off) are different. The integration of these neurons in the process of colour coding is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Autrum, H., Zwehl, V.v.: Die spektrale Empfindlichkeit einzelner Sehzellen des Bienenauges. Z. vergl. Physiol.48, 357–384 (1964)
Daumer, K.: Reizmetrische Untersuchung des Farbensehens der Biene. Z. vergl. Physiol.38, 413–478 (1956)
DeValois, R.L.: Central mechanisms of colour vision. In: Handb. sens. physiol., Vol. VII/3A: Central processing of visual information (ed. R. Jung), pp. 209–254. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1973
Erber, J.: The dynamics of learning in the honey bee I. The time dependence of the choice reaction. J. comp. Physiol.99, 231–242 (1975)
Erber, J.: The dynamics of learning in the honey bee II. Principles of information processing. J. comp. Physiol.99, 243–255 (1975)
Frisch, K. von: Demonstration von Versuchen zum Nachweis des Farbensinnes angeblich total farbenblinder Tiere. Verh. dtsch. Zool. Ges., Freiburg (1914)
Helversen, O. von: Zur spektralen Unterschiedsempfmdlichkeit der Honigbiene. J. comp. Physiol.80, 439–472 (1973)
Kenyon, F.C.: The brain of the bee. A preliminary contribution to the morphology of the nervous system of the Arthropoda. J. comp. Neurol.6, 133–210 (1898)
Kien, J., Menzel, R.: Chromatic properties of interneurons in the optic lobes of the bee. I. Broad band neurons. J. comp. Physiol.113, 17–34 (1977)
Kien, J., Menzel, R.: Chromatic properties of interneurons in the optic lobes of the bee. II. Narrow band and colour opponent neurons. J. comp. Physiol.113, 35–53 (1977)
Masuhr, Th.: Lokalisation und Funktion des Kurzzeitgedächtnisses der HonigbieneApis mellifica L. Dissertation TH Darmstadt (1976)
Menzel, R.: Untersuchungen zum Erlernen von Spektralfarben durch die Honigbiene. Z. vergl. Physiol.56, 22–62 (1967)
Menzel, R.: Spectral sensitivity and colour vision in invertebrates. In: Handb. sens. physiol. VII/6 B (ed. H. Autrum). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer (in preparation)
Menzel, R., Blakers, M.: Functional organization of an insect ommatidium with fused rhabdom. Cytobiol.11, 279–298 (1976)
Menzel, R., Erber, J., Masuhr, Th.: Learning and memory in the honey bee. In: Experimental analysis of insect behaviour (ed. L. Burton-Brown). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1974
Schümperli, R.A.: Monocular and binocular visual fields of butterfly interneurons in response to white- and coloured light stimulation. J. comp. Physiol.103, 273–289 (1975)
Schürmann, F.W.: Synaptic contacts of association fibres in the brain of the bee. Brain Res.26, 169–176 (1971)
Schürmann, F.W.: Bemerkungen zur Funktion der Corpora pedunculata im Gehirn der Insekten aus morphologischer Sicht. Exp. Brain Res.19, 406–432 (1974)
Strausfeld, N.J.: Atlas of an insect brain. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1975
Suzuki, H., Tateda, H.: An electrophysiological study of olfactory interneurons in the brain of the honey bee. J. Insect Physiol.20, 2287–2299 (1974)
Suzuki, H., Tateda, H., Kuwabara, M.: Activities of antennal and ocellar interneurons in the protocerebrum of the honey bee. J. exp. Biol.64, 405–418 (1976)
Swihart, St.L.: The neural basis of colour vision in the butterfly,Papilio troilus. J. Insect Physiol.16, 1623–1636 (1970)
Swihart, St.L.: Modelling the butterfly visual pathway. J. Insect Physiol.18, 1915–1918 (1972)
Weiss, M.J.: Neuronal connections and the function of the corpora pedunculata in the brain of the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana L. J. Morph.142, 21–69 (1974)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by the DFG, Grant No. Me 365/4
We wish to thank Dr. J. Kien, Seewiesen, for helping us to prepare the English translation of this paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Erber, J., Menzel, R. Visual interneurons in the median protocerebrum of the bee. J. Comp. Physiol. 121, 65–77 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614181
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00614181