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The Roles of Parallel Channels in Early Visual Processing by the Arthropod Compound Eye

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Photoreception and Vision in Invertebrates

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 74))

Abstract

Both the lamina and the medulla are arrays of parallel neural subunits, each primarily receiving an input from a single retinal sampling element. Every subunit contains several parallel channels capable of monitoring different aspects of the incoming signal while the medulla contains abundant lateral pathways for local and global processing interactions between units. Parallel channels in lamina subunits segregate different components of the receptor input, such as wavelength or polarisation sensitivity. In addition one or more channels sums the majority of receptor inputs to provide a highly sensitive contrast coding pathway, typified by cells LI and L2 in the fly. The sensitivity of the contrast channel is matched to the quality of incoming signals so as to improve the efficiency with which they transmit information to the medulla. Non-linear synaptic amplification ensures that all levels of graded response are fully utilised, while intensity dependant lateral and temporal inhibition reduces the range of signal amplitudes to be coded. Two further lamina channels have been recorded from, but these have not been identified or characterised to the same degree. The medulla is far more complicated than the lamina and its cells are smaller and less accessible to recording. With the exception of movement detection, these technical difficulties are compounded by a lack of hypotheses about the procedures required at this level of processing. However the medulla’s ordered anatomy raises hopes that its exploration may one day bridge the gaps between anatomy and function, and lamina and lobula complex.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Australian National University, Canberra City, A.C.T., 2601, Australia

    Simon Laughlin

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  1. Simon Laughlin
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  1. University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    M. A. Ali

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© 1984 Plenum Press, New York

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Laughlin, S. (1984). The Roles of Parallel Channels in Early Visual Processing by the Arthropod Compound Eye. In: Ali, M.A. (eds) Photoreception and Vision in Invertebrates. NATO ASI Series, vol 74. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2743-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2743-1_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9699-7

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