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Althaus V, Exner G, von Hadeln J, Homberg U, Rosner R. Anatomical organization of the cerebrum of the praying mantis Hierodula membranacea. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25607. [PMID: 38501930 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Many predatory animals, such as the praying mantis, use vision for prey detection and capture. Mantises are known in particular for their capability to estimate distances to prey by stereoscopic vision. While the initial visual processing centers have been extensively documented, we lack knowledge on the architecture of central brain regions, pivotal for sensory motor transformation and higher brain functions. To close this gap, we provide a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the central brain of the Asian mantis, Hierodula membranacea. The atlas facilitates in-depth analysis of neuron ramification regions and aides in elucidating potential neuronal pathways. We integrated seven 3D-reconstructed visual interneurons into the atlas. In total, 42 distinct neuropils of the cerebrum were reconstructed based on synapsin-immunolabeled whole-mount brains. Backfills from the antenna and maxillary palps, as well as immunolabeling of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), further substantiate the identification and boundaries of brain areas. The composition and internal organization of the neuropils were compared to the anatomical organization of the brain of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and the two available brain atlases of Polyneoptera-the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and the Madeira cockroach (Rhyparobia maderae). This study paves the way for detailed analyses of neuronal circuitry and promotes cross-species brain comparisons. We discuss differences in brain organization between holometabolous and polyneopteran insects. Identification of ramification sites of the visual neurons integrated into the atlas supports previous claims about homologous structures in the optic lobes of flies and mantises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Althaus
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gesa Exner
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Joss von Hadeln
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Homberg
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Mind Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ronny Rosner
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Biosciences Institute, Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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von Hadeln J, Hensgen R, Bockhorst T, Rosner R, Heidasch R, Pegel U, Quintero Pérez M, Homberg U. Neuroarchitecture of the central complex of the desert locust: Tangential neurons. J Comp Neurol 2019; 528:906-934. [PMID: 31625611 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The central complex (CX) comprises a group of midline neuropils in the insect brain, consisting of the protocerebral bridge (PB), the upper (CBU) and lower division (CBL) of the central body and a pair of globular noduli. It receives prominent input from the visual system and plays a major role in spatial orientation of the animals. Vertical slices and horizontal layers of the CX are formed by columnar, tangential, and pontine neurons. While pontine and columnar neurons have been analyzed in detail, especially in the fruit fly and desert locust, understanding of the organization of tangential cells is still rudimentary. As a basis for future functional studies, we have studied the morphologies of tangential neurons of the CX of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. Intracellular dye injections revealed 43 different types of tangential neuron, 8 of the PB, 5 of the CBL, 24 of the CBU, 2 of the noduli, and 4 innervating multiple substructures. Cell bodies of these neurons were located in 11 different clusters in the cell body rind. Judging from the presence of fine versus beaded terminals, the vast majority of these neurons provide input into the CX, especially from the lateral complex (LX), the superior protocerebrum, the posterior slope, and other surrounding brain areas, but not directly from the mushroom bodies. Connections are largely subunit- and partly layer-specific. No direct connections were found between the CBU and the CBL. Instead, both subdivisions are connected in parallel with the PB and distinct layers of the noduli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joss von Hadeln
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Ronja Hensgen
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Tobias Bockhorst
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Ronny Rosner
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Ronny Heidasch
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Uta Pegel
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Manuel Quintero Pérez
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Uwe Homberg
- Fachbereich Biologie, Tierphysiologie, and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
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von Hadeln J, Althaus V, Häger L, Homberg U. Anatomical organization of the cerebrum of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 374:39-62. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2844-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Rosner R, von Hadeln J, Salden T, Homberg U. Anatomy of the lobula complex in the brain of the praying mantis compared to the lobula complexes of the locust and cockroach. J Comp Neurol 2017; 525:2343-2357. [PMID: 28295329 PMCID: PMC5435961 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The praying mantis is an insect which relies on vision for capturing prey, avoiding being eaten and for spatial orientation. It is well known for its ability to use stereopsis for estimating the distance of objects. The neuronal substrate mediating visually driven behaviors, however, is not very well investigated. To provide a basis for future functional studies, we analyzed the anatomical organization of visual neuropils in the brain of the praying mantis Hierodula membranacea and provide supporting evidence from a second species, Rhombodera basalis, with particular focus on the lobula complex (LOX). Neuropils were three‐dimensionally reconstructed from synapsin‐immunostained whole mount brains. The neuropil organization and the pattern of γ‐aminobutyric acid immunostaining of the medulla and LOX were compared between the praying mantis and two related polyneopteran species, the Madeira cockroach and the desert locust. The investigated visual neuropils of the praying mantis are highly structured. Unlike in most insects the LOX of the praying mantis consists of five nested neuropils with at least one neuropil not present in the cockroach or locust. Overall, the mantis LOX is more similar to the LOX of the locust than the more closely related cockroach suggesting that the sensory ecology plays a stronger role than the phylogenetic distance of the three species in structuring this center of visual information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronny Rosner
- Institute of Neuroscience, Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Joss von Hadeln
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Salden
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Homberg
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps-University, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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