Zebrafish as a model to understand extraocular motor neuron diversity

Motor neurons have highly diverse anatomical, functional and molecular features, and differ significantly in their susceptibility in disease. Extraocular motor neurons, residing in the oculomotor, trochlear and abducens cranial nuclei (nIII, nIV and nVI), control eye movements. Recent work has begun to clarify the developmental mechanisms by which functional diversity among extraocular motor neurons arises. However, we know little about the role and consequences of extraocular motor neuron diversity in eye movement control. Here, we highlight recent work investigating the anatomical, functional and molecular features of extraocular motor neurons. Further, we frame hypotheses where studying ocular motor circuits in the larval zebrafish is poised to illuminate the consequences of motor neuron diversity for behavior.