Neural systems of reflexive behaviors

1. Neural systems of reflexive behaviors • Konrad Lorenz: The Fixed Action Pattern (FAP) • Graylag goose & egg rolling • Herring gull & feeding • FAPs appear to be completely innate: • Reproductive behaviors • Pheromone guided flight • Courtship dances/rituals • Copulation • Escape responses • Reflexes • Advantage: • Does not have to be learned. • Does not change (works the first time every time) • Disadvantage: Mimicry & Parasitism • Cuckoo, a nest parasite • Rover beetle nest parasite • Orchid female insect “decoys” attract unsuspecting males • Predatory firefly females “mimic” the call of other species females and lure males to “dinner”

2. Mimicry in flowers

3. Mimicry in flowers • Insect mimicry by orchids is achieved by: • Evolving flowers that appears “insect like” • Evolved olfactory cues that approximates pheromone • Can sometimes be precisely replicated • Unwitting males attempt to mate with the flower • Pollen sticks to their body • Insects will learn to avoid flower or is only distracted until females of their species emerge • Cost is in time and energy

4. Cowbirds Cuckoo bird Social parasites • Cowbird and cuckoo females lays eggs in nest of host species • The parasite offspring performs behaviors to enhance parental focus • Adoptive egg/sibling “accidents” (cuckoo) • Competitive begging (cowbird) • Averages 50% of the resources when it is only 1 of 3 nestlings

5. Predatory “flash mimicry” in the Firefly • Each firefly species has a specific pattern of light & flight • Females usually sit on ground or in brush/trees and flash a species specific light pattern • Males typically fly and flash with a species specific pattern • Predatory female • Produces her own species specific lighting pattern • Able to attract up to 11 other species of male • Lures in the wrong males then eats them • Specifically extracts chemicals that repel other predatory creatures.

6. Sign stimulus Neural energy Innate releasing mechanism Released behavior Historical view of the FAP or “Hydraulic model”

7. Bat: Innate sonar system

8. Neural control of FAPs: Predator avoidance

9. Neural control of FAPs: Predator avoidance

10. Bat below or behind Symmetric A1 response no affect of wing beat Differential A1 responses allow interneurons to code bat position Bat to one side causes symmetric A1 response causes counter steering

11. Differential A1 responses allow interneurons to code bat position Bat above: Both A1 cells produce symmetric responses that are disrupted by wing beating of moth

12. Mantis predator avoidance • Once exposed to bat calls the mantis elicits a reflex that disrupts flight: • Wings down • Forearms extend forward • Tail flips up

13. 501-T3. • Mantis prediator avoidance • The mantis hears only ultrasound (30-50KHz) • A single ear located on the underside of the animal • Hears only differences in amplitude and possibly pattern • 6 pairs of neurons that process auditory information • 501-T3 neuron has a very large axon that goes to the CNS • This cell is capable of responding with up to 800 spikes per second!