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Responses of high-frequency movement detector neurons in dragonfly larvae to motion of single objects

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Abstract

Neurons of the class described respond by a discharge with a frequency of 150–250/sec to motion of single objects in a large receptive field. The response depends directly on the size of the object. The neurons are selectively sensitive to motion of dark objects. Widening a dark border (bringing a black disc closer) evokes a stronger response than narrowing a dark border (moving a white disc further away). The response to uniform movement consists of high-frequency volleys of discharges separated by pauses. Repeated movements along the same trajectory induce habituation; after cessation of the movements sensitivity is restored with a time constant of about 30 sec. The role of lateral inhibition and local habituation in the identification of the specific features of optical stimuli is discussed.

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Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol.6, No.1, pp.68–74, January–February, 1974.

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Frantsevich, L.I., Mokrushov, P.A. Responses of high-frequency movement detector neurons in dragonfly larvae to motion of single objects. Neurophysiology 6, 54–59 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01064647

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