Multisensory cue integration in a navigating dung beetles
Abstract
Insects are capable of the most impressive feats of motor control and navigation. Beetles of the speciesScarabaeus galenus are able to repeatedly move large objects dung balls that can exceed 10 times theirown weight accurately between a food source and their burrow. They do so by combining celestialcompass orientation with a step-counting mechanism for distance estimation. Towards the end ofeach trip, this positional system allows them to locate the position of a tiny nest entrance withremarkable accuracy. How does this small agent with its miniature brain integrate navigationalcues of different modalities to pin-point its nest? And how does it maintain navigational precision,despite the variability and unpredictable nature of its natural environment? These are questions wewish to address within this three-year project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2020
- Source ID
- N629092012026
Entities
People
- Marie Dacke
Organizations
- Lund University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy