Endogenous Behavior in Yaw Torque Fluctuations

Abstract

For decades optomotor responses were treated as time averages in recordings and modeling. What matters for the fly, however, is the momentary torque it exerts and the momentary movement stimuli it receives. Therefore we will now consider the fine structure of yaw torque at the torque compensator in open and closed loop situations without applying extra movement stimuli. We want to watch the endogenous flight behavior that Drosophila performs while attached to its hook and to the recording device. We hope to identify some of it in our yaw torque recordings. If it is true that the primary goal of an animal is to acquire orientedness and that behavioral activity is part of this process, one might be able to observe it.