Octopus chemotactile sensing, sensorimotor integration and recruitment of arms during movement and o
Abstract
The octopus arm and its arsenal of suckers enable an extreme range of sensory and motor capabilities, all within an appendage with u,nparalleled flexibility and strength. A key biological challenge is to unravel the mechanisms of neural sensing and control of an in,dividual arm and its coordination with adjacent arms. This proposed research focuses on inter-arm coordination and its relationship,to specific behaviors such as locomotion, grasping, and chemotactile sensing. Anatomical, neurophysiological and behavioral methods,will be used to produce and synthesize such integrative data in sufficient detail to illuminate the basic mechanisms at play. Three,basic objectives are proposed: (i) quantify inter-arm and intra-arm axonal connectivity related to motor control; (ii) elucidate sen,sory signals that elicit arm recruitment and coordination; and (iii) analyze octopus arm uses and functions during specific sensory/,behavioral tasks. Considerable emphasis will be placed on delineating whichof these functions are independent of CNS control. Achiev,ements are anticipated to uncover new and refined mechanisms and principles for sensing and control of a networked system of flexibl,e actuators that enable flexible (i) locomotion, (ii) non-visual object detection and identification, (iii) sucker and arm recruitme,nt, and (iv) behavioral actions. Such discoveries may help inspire new models of high-dimensional sensing and control for future DoD, applications such as soft robotics.[Approved for Public Release]
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212208
Entities
People
- Roger T. Hanlon
Organizations
- Marine Biological Laboratory
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy