Lindemann JP, Kern R, van Hateren JH, Ritter H, Egelhaaf M. On the computations analyzing natural optic flow: Quantitative model analysis of the blowfly motion vision pathway. J Neurosci. 2005;25(27):6435-6448. ; For many animals, including humans, the optic flow generated on the eyes during locomotion is an important source of information about self-motion and the structure of the environment. The blowfly has been used frequently as a model system for experimental analysis of optic flow processing at the microcircuit level. Here, we describe a model of the computational mechanisms implemented by these circuits in the blowfly motion vision pathway. Although this model was originally proposed based on simple experimenter-designed stimuli, we show that it is also capable to quantitatively predict the responses to the complex dynamic stimuli a blowfly encounters in free flight. In particular, the model visual system exploits the active saccadic gaze and flight strategy of blowflies in a similar way, as does its neuronal counterpart. The model circuit extracts information about translation velocity in the intersaccadic intervals and thus, indirectly, about the three-dimensional layout of the environment. By stepwise dissection of the model circuit, we determine which of its components are essential for these remarkable features. When accounting for the responses to complex natural stimuli, the model is much more robust against parameter changes than when explaining the neuronal responses to simple experimenter-defined stimuli. In contrast to conclusions drawn from experiments with simple stimuli, optimization of the parameter set for different segments of natural optic flow stimuli do not indicate pronounced adaptational changes of these parameters during long-lasting stimulation.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    On the computations analyzing natural optic flow: Quantitative model analysis of the blowfly motion vision pathway


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2005-01-01


    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    570 / 629




    Motion adaptation leads to parsimonious encoding of natural optic flow by blowfly motion vision system

    Heitwerth, J / Kern, Roland / van Hateren, JH et al. | BASE | 2005

    Free access

    Motion adaptation leads to parsimonious encoding of natural optic flow by blowfly motion vision system

    Heitwerth, J. / Kern, R. / Hateren, J.H. van et al. | BASE | 2005

    Free access

    Blowfly flight and optic flow I. Thorax kinematics and flight dynamics

    Schilstra, C / Van Hateren, JH | BASE | 1999

    Free access

    Visual navigation of a virtual blowfly

    Lindemann, Jens Peter | BASE | 2005

    Free access

    Depth information in natural environments derived from optic flow by insect motion detection system: a model analysis

    Schwegmann, Alexander / Lindemann, Jens Peter / Egelhaaf, Martin | BASE | 2014

    Free access