Pavlou, H.J., Lin, A.C. orcid.org/0000-0001-6310-9765, Neville, M.C. et al. (5 more authors) (2016) Neural circuitry coordinating male copulation. eLife, 5. e20713.
Abstract
© Pavlou et al. Copulation is the goal of the courtship process, crucial to reproductive success and evolutionary fitness. Identifying the circuitry underlying copulation is a necessary step towards understanding universal principles of circuit operation, and how circuit elements are recruited into the production of ordered action sequences. Here, we identify key sex-specific neurons that mediate copulation in Drosophila, and define a sexually dimorphic motor circuit in the male abdominal ganglion that mediates the action sequence of initiating and terminating copulation. This sexually dimorphic circuit composed of three neuronal classes - motor neurons, interneurons and mechanosensory neurons - controls the mechanics of copulation. By correlating the connectivity, function and activity of these neurons we have determined the logic for how this circuitry is coordinated to generate this male-specific behavior, and sets the stage for a circuit-level dissection of active sensing and modulation of copulatory behavior.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > School of Biosciences (Sheffield) > Department of Biomedical Science (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 08 Dec 2016 14:24 |
Last Modified: | 08 Dec 2016 14:32 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20713 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | eLife Sciences Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.7554/eLife.20713 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:109117 |
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Filename: e20713-download.pdf
Licence: Creative Commons: Public Domain Dedication