Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Brain Mechanisms of Visual Localization by Frogs and Toads

  • Chapter
Book cover Advances in Vertebrate Neuroethology

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 56))

Abstract

Classical ethology provides two fundamental themes which remain at the heart of current research in neuroethology. First, is the assumption that events in the sensory “Umwelt” activate behavior via narrowly-tuned stimulus filters — i.e., that relatively few distinctive features determine the recognition of food, mate, parent or enemy. The term “innate releasing mechanisms” is probably too narrow to characterize the complexity of sensory recognition schema for birds and mammals, but it still seems to apply to many behaviors of fishes, amphibians and reptiles. As an example, the feeding behavior in newly metamorphosed froglets (Ingle, unpubl. data) seems to emerge fullblown: with no prior experience as tadpoles in pursuing visual objects, they accurately turn and snap at small moving prey. These movement sequences also fit the original notion of a “fixed action pattern”, which is the second main inheritance from classical ethology. During prey-catching the frog’s coordination of head, mouth, tongue and leg movements is highly stereotyped. The patterns predictable from knowing the radial location, height and distance of the prey. Although the behavior appears rigid, it is fast and accurate: well-adapted for the rigorous competition for food and survival among a large population with limited resources.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Akert, K., 1949, Der visuelle Greifreflex. Helv. Physiol. Acta, 7:112–134.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arbib, M.A., 1981, Rana computatrix:An evolving model of visuomotor coordination in frog and toad, Computer and Information Science Technical Report No. 81-6, Univ. Massachusetts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bechterew, W., 1884, Über die Function der Vierhügel. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. Menschen und Tiere, 33:413–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collett, T., 1977, Stereopsis in toads. Nature, 267:349–351.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collewijn, H., 1975, Oculomotor areas in the rabbit’s midbrain and pretectum. J. Neurobiol., 6:3–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., 1967, Aktivierung der Verhaltensfolge beim Beutefang der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.) durch elektrische Mittelhirnreizung. Z. Vergl. Physiol., 54:455–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., 1968, Der Einfluß von Zwischenhirndefekten auf die Visuomotorik im Beute-und Fluchtverhalten der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.). Z. Vergl. Physiol., 61:41–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., 1971, Single-unit response of the toad (Bufo americanus) caudal thalamus to visual objects. Z. vergl. Physiol., 74:81–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., 1983, Tectal mechanisms underlying prey-catching and avoidance behaviors in toads, in “Neurology of the Optic Tectum”, H. Vanegas, ed., Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., and Gebauer, L., 1973, Größenkonstanzphänomene im Beutefangverhalten der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo L.). J. Comp. Physiol., 85:303–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., and von Seelen W., 1974, Neurobiologie und System-Theorie eines visuellen Muster-Erkennungsmechanismus bei Kröten. Kybernetik, 14:167–183.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., and von Wietersheim, A., 1974a, Musterauswertung durch Tectum-und Thalamus/Praetectum-Neurone im visuellen System der Kröte Bufo bufo (L.). J. Comp. Physiol., 92:131–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., and von Wietersheim, A., 1974b, Der Einfluß von Thalamus/Praetectum-Defekten auf die Antwort von Tectum-Neuronen gegenüber visuellen Mustern bei der Kröte (Bufo bufo L.). J. Comp. Physiol., 92:149–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ewert, J.-P., Hock, F.J., and von Wietersheim, A., 1974, Thalamus/ Praetectum/Tectum: Retinale Topographie und physiologische Interaktionen bei der Kröte (Bufo bufo L.). J. Comp. Physiol., 92:343–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fite, K.V., and Scalia, F., 1976, Central visual pathways in the frog, in “The Amphibian Visual System”, K.V. Fite, ed., Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fontera, J.G., 1952, A study of the anuran diencephalon. J. Comp. Neurol., 96:1–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuller, P.M., and Ebbesson, S.O.E., 1973, Central projections of the trigeminal nerve in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). J. Comp. Neurol., 152:193–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glasser, S., Fraser, J., and Ingle, D., 1982, Vertical migration of retinal axons in the frog’s optic tectum following laminar denervation. (submitted).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grüsser, O.-J., and Grüsser-Cornehls, U., 1976, Physiology of the anuran visual system, in “Frog Neurobiology”, R. Llinas and W. Precht, eds., Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess, W.R., Burgi, S., and Bucher, V., 1946, Motorische Funktion des Tektal-und Tegmentalgebietes. Monatsschr. Psychiatr. Neurol., 112:1–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holcombe, V., and Hall, W.C., 1981, Laminar origin and distribution of crossed tectoreticular pathways. J. Neurosci., 1:1103–1112.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1968, Visual releasers of prey catching behavior in frogs and toads. Brain, Behav. Evol., 1:500–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1970, Visuomotor functions of the frog optic tectum. Brain, Behav. Evol., 3:57–71.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1971a, Discrimination of edge-orientation by frogs. Vision Res. 11: 1365–1367.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1971c, A possible behavioral correlate of delayed retinal discharge in Anurans. Vision Res., 11:167–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1973a, Two visual systems in the frog. Science, 81:1053–1055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1973b, Evolutionary perspectives on the function of the optic tectum. Brain, Behav. Evol., 8:211–237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1976, Spatial visi.on in anurans, in: “The Amphibian Visual System”, K.V. Fite, ed., Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1977, Detection of stationary objects by frogs following optic tectum ablation. J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol., 91:1359–1364.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1979, Behavioral analysis of frogs with compressed tectal projections, in “Specificity and Plasticity of Retinotectal Connections”, M.V. Edds, R.M. Gaze, G.E. Schneider and L.N. Irwin, eds., Neurosci. Res. Program Bull. Vol.17, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1980, The frog’s detection of stationary objects following lesions of the pretectum. Behav. Brain Res., 1:139–163.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1981, New methods for analysis of vision in the gerbil, in “The Rodent Visual System”, M.A. Goodale, ed., Special Issue of Behav. Brain Res., 3:151–173.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., 1982, The organization of visuomotor behaviors in vertebrates, in “The Analysis of Visual Behavior”, D. Ingle, M. Goodale and R. Mansfield, eds., MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., and Cook, J., 1977, The effect of viewing distance upon size preference of frogs for prey. Vision Res., 17:1009–1014.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., and Quinn, S., 1982a, Efferent functions of the frog’s tectum: Identification vs. localization of prey, (submitted).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., and Quinn, S., 1982b., Topographic order in pretectal and anterior thalamic afferents to the frog’s optic tectum, (in prep.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, D., Cheal, M., and Dizio, P., 1979, Cine analysis of visual orientation and pursuit by the Mongolian gerbil. J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol., 93:919–928.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katte, O., and Hoffmann, K.-P., 1980, Direction specific neurons in the pretectum of the frog (Rana esculenta). J. Comp. Physiol., 140:53–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kicliter, E., 1973, Flux, wavelength and movement discrimination in frogs: Forebrain and midbrain contributions. Brain, Behav. Evol., 8:340–365.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kicliter, E., Misantone, L.J., and Stelzner, D.J., 1974, Neuronal specificity and plasticity in frog visual system: Anatomical correlates. Brain Res., 82:293–297.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lázár, G., 1969, Efferent pathways of the optic tectum in the frog. Acta Biol. (Szeged), 20:171–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lázár, G., 1971, The projection of the retinal quadrants on the optic centers in the frog: A terminal degeneration study. Acta Morphol. Acad. Sci. Hung., 19:325–334.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lázár, G., 1973, Role of the accessory optic system in the optokinetic nystagmus of the frog. Brain, Behav. Evol., 5:443–460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lázár, G., 1979, Organization of the frog visual system, in “Recent Developments of Neurobiology in Hungary” Vol.8, K. Lissak, ed., Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lázár, G., and Székely, G., 1967, Golgi studies on the optic center of the frog. J. Hirnforsch., 9:329–344.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lock, A., and Collett, T., 1979, A toad’s devious approach to its prey: A study of some complex uses of depth vision. J. Comp. Physiol., 131:179–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merker, B.H., 1980, “The Sentinal Hypothesis: A Role for the Mammalian Superior Colliculus”, Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Psychology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muntz, W.R.A., 1962a, Microelectrode recordings from the diencephalon of the frog (Rana pipiens) and a blue-sensitive system. J. Neurophysiol., 25:699–711.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muntz, W.R.A., 1962b, Effectiveness of different colors of light in releasing the positive phototactic behavior of frogs, and a possible function of the retinal projection to the diencephalon. J. Neurophysiol., 25:712–720.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neary, T.J., and Northcutt, R.G., 1979, Organization of the diencephalon of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana. Anat. Rec, 193:635.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neary, T.J., and Wilczynski, W., 1977, Anterior and posterior thalamic afferents in the bullfrog. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., 5:144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northmore, D.P.M., 1981, Visual localization after rearrangements of the retinotectal map in fish. Nature, 293:142–144.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raczkowski, D., Casagrande, V.A., and Diamond, I.T., 1976, Visual neglect in the tree shrew after interruption of the decending projections of the deep superior colliculus. Exp. Neurol., 50:14–29.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rehn, B., 1977, “Cerebrale Repräsentation des Fluchtverhaltens der Erdkröte (Bufo bufo)”, Ph.D. Thesis, Techn. Univ. of Darmstadt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubinson, E., 1968, Projections of the tectum opticum of the frog. Brain, Behav. Evol., 1:529–561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scalia, F., and Coleman, D.R., 1975, Identification of telencephalic-afferent thalamic nuclei associated with the visual system of the frog, Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., 1:46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scalia, F., and Fite, K.V., 1974, A retinotopic analysis of the central connections of the optic nerve in the frog. J. Comp. Neurol., 158:455–478.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scalia, F., and Gregory, K., 1970, Retinofugal projections in the frog: Location of the postsynaptic neurons. Brain, Behav. Evol., 3:16–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, D., 1954, Beitrag zu einer Analyse des Beute-und Flucht-verhaltens einheimischer Anuren. Biol. Zentralbl., 73:225–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, G.E., 1973, Early lesions of superior colliculus: Factors affecting the formation of abnormal retinal projections. Brain, Behav. Evol., 8:73–109.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sperry, R.W., 1945, Restoration of vision after crossing of optic nerves and after contralateral transplantation of eye. J. Neurophysiol., 8:15–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Székely, G., Setalo, G., and Lazar, G., 1974, Fine structure of the frog’s optic tectum: Optic fiber termination layers. J. Hirnforsch., 14:189–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trachtenberg, M.C., and Ingle, D., 1974, Thalamo-tectal projections in the frog. Brain Res., 79:419–430.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weerasuriya, A., and Ewert, J.-P., 1981, Prey-selective neurons in the toad’s optic tectum and sensorimotor interfacing: HRP studies and recording experiments. J. Comp. Physiol., 144:429–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilczynski, W., and Northcutt, R.G., 1978, Afferents to the optic tectum of the leopard frog: An HRP study. J. Comp. Neurol., 173:219–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 02254, USA

    David J. Ingle

Authors
  1. David J. Ingle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kassel, Kassel, Federal Republic of Germany

    Jörg-Peter Ewert

  2. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Robert R. Capranica

  3. Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA

    David J. Ingle

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ingle, D.J. (1983). Brain Mechanisms of Visual Localization by Frogs and Toads. In: Ewert, JP., Capranica, R.R., Ingle, D.J. (eds) Advances in Vertebrate Neuroethology. NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series, vol 56. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4412-4_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4412-4_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-4414-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-4412-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation