02878nas a2200157 4500008004100000022001400041245008600055210006900141260001600210520234200226100001602568700003102584700001902615700001802634856006802652 2016 eng d a0270-647400aSensory flow as a basis for a novel distance cue in freely behaving electric fish0 aSensory flow as a basis for a novel distance cue in freely behav cNov-24-20163 a

ABSTRACT

The sensory input that an animal receives is directly linked to its motor activity. Behavior thus enables animals to influence their sensory input, a concept referred to as active sensing. How such behavior can serve as a scaffold for generating sensory information is of general scientific interest. In this article, we investigate how behavior can shape sensory information by using some unique features of the sensorimotor system of the weakly electric fish.

Based on quantitative behavioral characterizations and computational reconstruction of sensory input, we show how electrosensory flow is actively created during highly patterned, spontaneous behavior in Gnathonemus petersii. The spatiotemporal structure of the sensory input provides information for the computation of a novel distance cue, which allows for a continuous estimation of distance. This has significant advantages over previously known non-dynamic distance estimators as determined from electric image blur.

Our investigation of the sensorimotor interactions in pulsatile electrolocation show, for the first time, that the electrosensory flow contains behaviorally relevant information only accessible through active behavior. As patterned sensory behaviors are a shared feature of (active) sensory systems, our results have general implications for the understanding of (active) sensing, with the proposed sensory flow based-measure being potentially pertinent to a broad range of sensory modalities.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Acquisition of sensory information depends on motion, as either an animal or its sensors move. Behavior can thus actively influence the sensory flow, and in this way, behavior can be seen as a manifestation of the brain's integrative functions. The properties of the active pulsatile electrolocation system in Gnathonemus petersii allow for the sensory input to be computationally reconstructed, enabling us to link the informational content of spatiotemporal sensory dynamics to behavior. Our study reveals a novel sensory cue for estimating depth that is actively generated by the fishes' behavior. The physical and behavioral similarities between electrolocation and other active sensory systems suggest that this may be a mechanism shared by (active) sensory systems.

1 aHofmann, V.1 aSanguinetti-Scheck, J., I.1 aGomez-Sena, L.1 aEngelmann, J. uhttp://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/doi/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1361-16.201602247nas a2200373 4500008004100000020001400041245011300055210006900168260000800237300001000245490000700255520117200262653002701434653001901461653001801480653001701498653002201515653003601537653002201573653001301595653002301608653001601631653002001647653001501667653001601682653002301698653002501721653001601746100001501762700001801777700002301795700002101818856003401839 2009 eng d a0022-111200aThe electric organ discharges of the Petrocephalus species (Teleostei: Mormyridae) of the Upper Volta System0 aelectric organ discharges of the Petrocephalus species Teleostei cJan a54-760 v743 a

In this study, a first comparative investigation of all four species of Petrocephalus (P. bovei, P. bane, P. soudanensis and P. cf. pallidomaculatus) present in the Upper Volta system and their electric organ discharges (EOD) was conducted. It was found that P. bovei was the most widespread (in terms of habitat use), but in several places P. bovei, P. soudanensis and P. cf. pallidomaculatus occurred syntopically. All species emitted a triphasic signal, and with very few exceptions, the Petrocephalus species of the Upper Volta system could clearly be identified on the basis of their EOD waveforms. The most obvious differences between species in EOD waveforms were in amplitude of the last phase, total duration and fast Fourier transformation (FFT) peak frequency. No sexual dimorphism was present in the EOD of any species although external dimorphism, i.e. an indentation at the base of the anal fin of mature males, was common. The EOD waveform diversity in the Upper Volta principally resembled that found in four sympatric Petrocephalus species from the OgoouE system (Gabon) and might play a role in species recognition and speciation processes.

10aactive electrolocation10acentral-africa10acommunication10aeod waveform10afishes mormyridae10agnathonemus-petersii mormyridae10aosteoglossomorpha10apendjari10apollimyrus-isidori10arecognition10asex-differences10aspeciation10avariability10awater conductivity10aweakly electric fish10awest africa1 aMoritz, T.1 aEngelmann, J.1 aLinsenmair, K., E.1 avon der Emde, G. u://00026251690000401370nas a2200193 4500008004100000022001400041245008900055210006900144260001200213300001400225490005000239520073700289100002701026700001401053700001801067700002201085700002101107856004801128 2009 eng d a0179-161300aElectrifying love: electric fish use species-specific discharge for mate recognition0 aElectrifying love electric fish use speciesspecific discharge fo c04/2009 a225 - 2280 v5209274193920411429159963514514555870202201913 a

A unique evolutionary specialization of African weakly electric fish (Mormyridae) is their ability to produce and perceive electric signals. Mormyrids use their electric organs discharge (EOD) for electrolocation and electrocommunication. Here we discuss the adaptive significance of the EOD in foraging (electric prey detec- tion) in light of recent results demonstrating that mormyrid fish mate assortatively according to EOD waveform characteristics (electric mate choice). Therefore the EOD as a single trait pleio- tropically combines natural divergent selection and reproductive isolation. Consequently we postulate the EOD as a “magic trait” promoting the diversification of African weakly electric fish.

1 aFeulner, Philine, G.D.1 aPlath, M.1 aEngelmann, J.1 aKirschbaum, Frank1 aTiedemann, Ralph uhttps://mormyrids.myspecies.info/fr/node/28