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Variations on a theme: species differences in synaptic connectivity do not predict central pattern generator

Charuni A Gunaratne¹, Akira Sakurai¹, Paul S Katz²

¹Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Journal of Neurophysiology

|May 26, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Neural circuit connectivity in nudibranchs shows species-specific variations. Homologous neurons exhibit diverse activity and synaptic connections, independent of behavior or evolutionary relationships, highlighting the complexity of neuroethology.

Keywords:

evolution homology homoplasy microcircuitry nudibranch mollusk

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Area of Science:

Comparative neuroethology
Neuroscience
Evolutionary biology

Background:

Understanding the relationship between synaptic wiring, phylogeny, and behavior is crucial in neuroethology.
Homologous neurons and behaviors can exhibit variations in connectivity across species.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the connectivity and activity of homologous neurons (Si1) in different nudibranch species with varying swimming behaviors.
To determine if neural circuit connectivity is dictated by behavior, phylogeny, or evolves independently.

Main Methods:

Examined the synaptic connectivity and activity patterns of Si1 homologs in four nudibranch species: *Melibe leonina*, *Dendronotus iris*, *Flabellina iodinea*, and *Tritonia diomedea*.
Recorded neuronal activity during swimming motor patterns (SMP) and analyzed synaptic inputs.

Main Results:

Si1 homologs in *Flabellina iodinea* (independently evolved left-right swimming) participate in the swim central pattern generator (CPG), similar to *Melibe leonina*.
Si1 homologs in *Tritonia diomedea* (dorsal-ventral swimming) do not rhythmically burst but are inhibited and receive synchronous input.
Reciprocal inhibition and electrical coupling between Si1 homologs were observed across species, but with variations in the nature (mono- vs. polysynaptic) and extent of these connections.

Conclusions:

The swim CPG in *Flabellina* and *Melibe* appears to have convergently evolved to include Si1, despite differences in monosynaptic connections.
Neural circuit connectivity between homologous neurons varies independently of both swimming behavior and phylogenetic relatedness.
Neither neuronal homology nor species-specific behavior reliably predicts neural circuit connectivity, suggesting a complex interplay of evolutionary and developmental factors.