Article,
Closing the loop between neurobiology and flight behavior in Drosophila
Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 14 (6): 729--736 (December 2004)
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2004.10.004
Abstract
Fruit flies alter flight direction by generating rapid
stereotyped turns called saccades. Using a combination of
tethered and free-flight methods, both the aerodynamic
mechanisms and the sensory triggers for saccades have been
investigated. The results indicate that saccades are elicited
by visual expansion, and are brought about by remarkably
subtle changes in wing motion. Mechanosensory feedback from
the fly's gyroscope complements visual cues to terminate
saccades, as well as to stabilize forward flight. Olfactory
stimuli elicit tonic increases in wingbeat amplitude and
frequency but do not alter the time course or magnitude of
visual reflexes.
