It is unclear where in the nervous system evolutionary changes tend to occur. To localize the source of neural evolution that has generated divergent behaviours, a new approach has been developed to label and functionally manipulate homologous neurons across Drosophila species.

David Stern's team examined homologous descending neurons that drive courtship song in two species that sing divergent song types and localized relevant evolutionary changes in circuit function downstream of the intrinsic physiology of these descending neurons. This evolutionary change causes different species to produce divergent motor patterns in similar social contexts. Artificial stimulation of these descending neurons drives multiple song types, suggesting that multifunctional properties of song circuits may facilitate rapid evolution of song types.

This talk is organised but The Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour. For further information, please contact Fiona Woods at fiona.woods@cncb.ox.ac.uk