scholarly journals A small, computationally flexible network produces the phenotypic diversity of song recognition in crickets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Clemens ◽  
Stefan Schöneich ◽  
Konstantinos Kostarakos ◽  
R. Matthias Hennig ◽  
Berthold Hedwig
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Parameter Variation ◽  
Gryllus Bimaculatus ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Increase Energy Efficiency ◽  
Behavioral Diversity ◽  
Song Recognition ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractHow neural networks evolve to recognize species-specific communication signals is unknown. One hypothesis is that novel recognition phenotypes are produced by parameter variation in a computationally flexible “mother network”. We test this hypothesis in crickets, where males produce and females recognize mating songs with a species-specific pulse pattern. Whether the song recognition network in crickets is computationally flexible to recognize the diversity of pulse patterns and what network properties support and constrain this flexibility is unknown. Using electrophysiological recordings from the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, we built a model of the song recognition network that reproduces the network dynamics as well as the neuronal and behavioral tuning for that species. An analysis of the model’s parameter space reveals that the network can produce all recognition phenotypes known in crickets and even other insects. Biases in phenotypic diversity produced by the model are consistent with the existing behavioral diversity in crickets, and arise from computations that likely evolved to increase energy efficiency and robustness of song recognition. The model’s parameter to phenotype mapping is degenerate – different network parameters can create similar changes in the phenotype – which is thought to support evolutionary plasticity. Our study suggest that a computationally flexible mother network could underlie the diversity of song recognition phenotypes in crickets and we reveal network properties that constrain and support behavioral diversity.

scholarly journals A small, computationally flexible network produces the phenotypic diversity of song recognition in crickets

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Clemens ◽  
Stefan Schöneich ◽  
Konstantin Kostarakos ◽  
R Matthias Hennig ◽  
Berthold Hedwig
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Feature Detection ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Increase Energy Efficiency ◽  
Song Recognition ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Temporal Features ◽  
Flexible Networks ◽  
Species Specific

How neural networks evolved to generate the diversity of species-specific communication signals is unknown. For receivers of the signals one hypothesis is that novel recognition phenotypes arise from parameter variation in computationally flexible feature detection networks. We test this hypothesis in crickets, where males generate and females recognize the mating songs with a species-specific pulse pattern, by investigating whether the song recognition network in the cricket brain has the computational flexibility to recognize different temporal features. Using electrophysiological recordings from the network that recognizes crucial properties of the pulse pattern on the short timescale in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, we built a computational model that reproduces the neuronal and behavioral tuning of that species. An analysis of the model's parameter space reveals that the network can provide all recognition phenotypes for pulse duration and pause known in crickets and even other insects. Phenotypic diversity in the model is consistent with known preference types in crickets and other insects, and arise from computations that likely evolved to increase energy efficiency and robustness of pattern recognition. The model's parameter to phenotype mapping is degenerate-different network parameters can create similar changes in the phenotype-which likely supports evolutionary plasticity. Our study suggests that computationally flexible networks underlie the diverse pattern recognition phenotypes and we reveal network properties that constrain and support behavioral diversity.

scholarly journals Song discrimination learning in zebra finches induces highly divergent responses to novel songs

2006 ◽  
Vol 274 (1607) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Machteld N Verzijden ◽  
Eric Etman ◽  
Caroline van Heijningen ◽  
Marianne van der Linden ◽  
Carel ten Cate
Keyword(s):  
Discrimination Learning ◽  
Peak Shift ◽  
Taeniopygia Guttata ◽  
One Dimension ◽  
Signal Evolution ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Song Discrimination ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Element Sequence

Perceptual biases can shape the evolution of signal form. Understanding the origin and direction of such biases is therefore crucial for understanding signal evolution. Many animals learn about species-specific signals. Discrimination learning using simple stimuli varying in one dimension (e.g. amplitude, wavelength) can result in perceptual biases with preferences for specific novel stimuli, depending on the stimulus dimensions. We examine how this translates to discrimination learning involving complex communication signals; birdsongs. Zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) were trained to discriminate between two artificial songs, using a Go/No-Go procedure. The training songs in experiment 1 differed in the number of repeats of a particular element. The songs in experiment 2 differed in the position of an odd element in a series of repeated elements. We examined generalization patterns by presenting novel songs with more or fewer repeated elements (experiment 1), or with the odd element earlier or later in the repeated element sequence (experiment 2). Control birds were trained with only one song. The generalization curves obtained from (i) control birds, (ii) experimental birds in experiment 1, and (iii) experimental birds in experiment 2 showed large and systematic differences from each other. Birds in experiment 1, but not 2, responded more strongly to specific novel songs than to training songs, showing ‘peak shift’. The outcome indicates that learning about communication signals may give rise to perceptual biases that may drive signal evolution.

MicroRNAs of the mesothorax in Qinlingacris elaeodes, an alpine grasshopper showing a wing polymorphism with unilateral wing form

2015 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Li ◽  
G.F. Jiang ◽  
Q.P. Ren ◽  
Y.T. Wang ◽  
X.M. Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Wing Form ◽  
Wing Polymorphism ◽  
Insect Wings ◽  
Deep Sequencing Technology ◽  
Illumina Deep Sequencing ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Development And Evolution

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now recognized as key post-transcriptional regulators in regulation of phenotypic diversity. Qinlingacris elaeodes is a species of the alpine grasshopper, which is endemic to China. Adult individuals have three wing forms: wingless, unilateral-winged and short-winged. This is an ideal species to investigate the phenotypic plasticity, development and evolution of insect wings because of its case of unilateral wing form in both the sexes. We sequenced a small RNA library prepared from mesothoraxes of the adult grasshoppers using the Illumina deep sequencing technology. Approximately 12,792,458 raw reads were generated, of which the 854,580 high-quality reads were used only for miRNA identification. In this study, we identified 49 conserved miRNAs belonging to 41 families and 69 species-specific miRNAs. Moreover, seven miRNA*s were detected both for conserved miRNAs and species-specific miRNAs, which were supported by hairpin forming precursors based on polymerase chain reaction. This is the first description of miRNAs in alpine grasshoppers. The results provide a useful resource for further studies on molecular regulation and evolution of miRNAs in grasshoppers. These findings not only enrich the miRNAs for insects but also lay the groundwork for the study of post-transcriptional regulation of wing forms.

scholarly journals Longitudinal network theory approaches identify crucial factors affecting sporulation efficiency in yeast

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camellia Sarkar ◽  
Saumya Gupta ◽  
Rahul Kumar Verma ◽  
Himanshu Sinha ◽  
Sarika Jalan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Node Degree ◽  
Developmental Processes ◽  
Network Properties

ABSTRACTIntegrating network theory approaches over longitudinal genome-wide gene expression data is a robust approach to understand the molecular underpinnings of a dynamic biological process. Here, we performed a network-based investigation of longitudinal gene expression changes during sporulation of a yeast strain, SK1. Using global network attributes, viz. clustering coefficient, degree distribution of a node, degree-degree mixing of the connected nodes and disassortativity, we observed dynamic changes in these parameters indicating a highly connected network with inter-module crosstalk. Analysis of local attributes, such as clustering coefficient, hierarchy, betweenness centrality and Granovetter’s weak ties showed that there was an inherent hierarchy under regulatory control that was determined by specific nodes. Biological annotation of these nodes indicated the role of specifically linked pairs of genes in meiosis. These genes act as crucial regulators of sporulation in the highly sporulating SK1 strain. An independent analysis of these network properties in a less efficient sporulating strain helped to understand the heterogeneity of network profiles. We show that comparison of network properties has the potential to identify candidate nodes contributing to the phenotypic diversity of developmental processes in natural populations. Therefore, studying these network parameters as described in this work for dynamic developmental processes, such as sporulation in yeast and eventually in disease progression in humans, can help in identifying candidate factors which are potential regulators of differences between normal and perturbed processes and can be causal targets for intervention.

Evolution of miRNA binding sites and regulatory networks in cichlids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarang K Mehta ◽  
Luca Penso-Dolfin ◽  
Will K Nash ◽  
Sushmita Roy ◽  
Federica Di Palma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Regulatory Regions ◽  
Adaptive Trait ◽  
Regulatory Variants ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Species Specific

The divergence of regulatory regions and gene regulatory network (GRN) rewiring is a key driver of cichlid phenotypic diversity. However, the contribution of miRNA binding site turnover has yet to be linked to GRN evolution across cichlids. Here, we extend our previous studies by analysing the selective constraints driving evolution of miRNA and transcription factor (TF) binding sites of target genes, to infer instances of cichlid GRN rewiring associated with regulatory binding site turnover. Comparative analyses identified increased species-specific networks that are functionally associated to traits of cichlid phenotypic diversity. The evolutionary rewiring is associated with differential models of miRNA snd TF binding site turnover, driven by a high proportion of fast-evolving polymorphic sites in adaptive trait genes compared to subsets of random genes. Positive selection acting upon discrete mutations in these regulatory regions is likely to be an important mechanism in rewiring GRNs in rapidly radiating cichlids. Regulatory variants of functionally associated miRNA and TF binding sites of visual opsin genes differentially segregate according to phylogeny and ecology of Lake Malawi species, identifying both rewired e.g. clade-specific and conserved network motifs of adaptive trait associated GRNs. Our approach revealed several novel candidate regulators, regulatory regions and three-node motifs across cichlid genomes with previously reported associations to known adaptive evolutionary traits.

Neurochemical control of cricket stridulation revealed by pharmacological microinjections into the brain

1999 ◽  
Vol 202 (16) ◽  
pp. 2203-2216 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wenzel ◽  
B. Hedwig
Keyword(s):  
Mushroom Body ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Courtship Song ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Calling Song ◽  
Command Neurons ◽  
Gryllus Bimaculatus ◽  
Natural Behaviour ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Brain

Neuroactive substances were administered into the frontal protocerebrum of tethered male Gryllus bimaculatus by pressure injections from microcapillaries. All three types of species-specific song pattern (calling song, rivalry song and courtship song) could be elicited by injection of acetylcholine and cholinergic agonists. Injection of nicotine led to short bouts of calling song that occurred after a short latency. In contrast, muscarine elicited long-lasting stridulation that took longer to develop. The pharmacologically induced song patterns showed transitions from rivalry song to calling song and from calling song to courtship song, which also occur during natural behaviour. Stridulation induced by a cholinergic agonist could be immediately blocked by microinjection of (γ)-aminobutyric acid (GABA) into the same neuropile sites. Administration of picrotoxin in resting crickets led to enhanced motor activity that incorporated the three different song patterns. We propose that, in the brain of the cricket, acetylcholine and GABA are putative transmitters involved in the control of stridulation. Histological analysis located the stimulation sites to an area between the pedunculus and the (α)-lobe of the mushroom body in which the command neurons for calling song have dendritic arborizations.

Encoding of social signals in all three electrosensory pathways of Eigenmannia virescens

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (9) ◽  
pp. 2076-2091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Stöckl ◽  
Fabian Sinz ◽  
Jan Benda ◽  
Jan Grewe
Keyword(s):  
Weakly Electric Fish ◽  
Social Signals ◽  
Active System ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Parallel Pathways ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings ◽  
Eigenmannia Virescens ◽  
Neuronal Representation

Extracting complementary features in parallel pathways is a widely used strategy for a robust representation of sensory signals. Weakly electric fish offer the rare opportunity to study complementary encoding of social signals in all of its electrosensory pathways. Electrosensory information is conveyed in three parallel pathways: two receptor types of the tuberous (active) system and one receptor type of the ampullary (passive) system. Modulations of the fish's own electric field are sensed by these receptors and used in navigation, prey detection, and communication. We studied the neuronal representation of electric communication signals (called chirps) in the ampullary and the two tuberous pathways of Eigenmannia virescens. We first characterized different kinds of chirps observed in behavioral experiments. Since Eigenmannia chirps simultaneously drive all three types of receptors, we studied their responses in in vivo electrophysiological recordings. Our results demonstrate that different electroreceptor types encode different aspects of the stimuli and each appears best suited to convey information about a certain chirp type. A decoding analysis of single neurons and small populations shows that this specialization leads to a complementary representation of information in the tuberous and ampullary receptors. This suggests that a potential readout mechanism should combine information provided by the parallel processing streams to improve chirp detectability.

scholarly journals Large Sequence Diversity within the Biosynthesis Locus and Common Biochemical Features of Campylobacter coli Lipooligosaccharides

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (20) ◽  
pp. 2829-2840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Culebro ◽  
Joana Revez ◽  
Ben Pascoe ◽  
Yasmin Friedmann ◽  
Matthew D. Hitchings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Host Adaptation ◽  
Campylobacter Coli ◽  
Genomic Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACTDespite the importance of lipooligosaccharides (LOSs) in the pathogenicity of campylobacteriosis, little is known about the genetic and phenotypic diversity of LOS inCampylobacter coli. In this study, we investigated the distribution of LOS locus classes among a large collection of unrelatedC. coliisolates sampled from several different host species. Furthermore, we pairedC. coligenomic information and LOS chemical composition for the first time to investigate possible associations between LOS locus class sequence diversity and biochemical heterogeneity. After identifying three new LOS locus classes, only 85% of the 144 isolates tested were assigned to a class, suggesting higher genetic diversity than previously thought. This genetic diversity is at the basis of a completely unexplored LOS structural heterogeneity. Mass spectrometry analysis of the LOSs of nine isolates, representing four different LOS classes, identified two features distinguishingC. coliLOS from that ofCampylobacter jejuni. 2-Amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose (GlcN)–GlcN disaccharides were present in the lipid A backbone, in contrast to the β-1′-6-linked 3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-d-glucopyranose (GlcN3N)–GlcN backbone observed inC. jejuni. Moreover, despite the fact that many of the genes putatively involved in 3-acylamino-3,6-dideoxy-d-glucose (Quip3NAcyl) were apparently absent from the genomes of various isolates, this rare sugar was found in the outer core of allC. coliisolates. Therefore, regardless of the high genetic diversity of the LOS biosynthesis locus inC. coli, we identified species-specific phenotypic features ofC. coliLOS that might explain differences betweenC. jejuniandC. coliin terms of population dynamics and host adaptation.IMPORTANCEDespite the importance ofC. colito human health and its controversial role as a causative agent of Guillain-Barré syndrome, little is known about the genetic and phenotypic diversity ofC. coliLOSs. Therefore, we pairedC. coligenomic information and LOS chemical composition for the first time to address this paucity of information. We identified two species-specific phenotypic features ofC. coliLOS, which might contribute to elucidating the reasons behind the differences betweenC. jejuniandC. coliin terms of population dynamics and host adaptation.

Communication signals and sound production mechanisms of mormyrid electric fish

1999 ◽  
Vol 202 (10) ◽  
pp. 1417-1426 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Crawford ◽  
X. Huang
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Electric Organ ◽  
Trunk Muscles ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Communication Signals ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Electric Organ Discharges ◽  
Electrical Stimuli ◽  
Weakly Electric

The African weakly electric fishes Pollimyrus isidori and Pollimyrus adspersus (Mormyridae) produce elaborate acoustic displays during social communication in addition to their electric organ discharges (EODs). In this paper, we provide new data on the EODs of these sound-producing mormyrids and on the mechanisms they use to generate species-typical sounds. Although it is known that the EODs are usually species-specific and sexually dimorphic, the EODs of closely related sound-producing mormyrids have not previously been compared. The data presented demonstrate that there is a clear sexual dimorphism in the EOD waveform of P. isidori. Females have a multi-phasic EOD that is more complex than the male's biphasic EOD. In this respect, P. isidori is similar to its more thoroughly studied congener P. adspersus, which has a sexually dimorphic EOD. The new data also reveal that the EODs of these two species are distinct, thus showing for the first time that species-specificity in EODs is characteristic of these fishes, which also generate species-specific courtship sounds. The sound-generating mechanism is based on a drumming muscle coupled to the swimbladder. Transverse sections through decalcified male and female P. adspersus revealed a muscle that envelops the caudal pole of the swimbladder and that is composed of dorso-ventrally oriented fibers. The muscle is five times larger in males (14.5+/−4.4 microl, mean +/− s.d.) than in females (3.2+/−1.8 microl). The fibers are also of significantly larger diameter in males than in females. Males generate courtship sounds and females do not. The function of the swimbladder muscle was tested using behavioral experiments. Male P. adspersus normally produce acoustic courtship displays when presented with female-like electrical stimuli. However, local anesthesia of the swimbladder muscle muted males. In control trials, males continued to produce sounds after injection of either lidocaine in the trunk muscles or saline in the swimbladder muscles.

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