2024-2025 Faculty Research Grant
Benjamin Navia (Biology).
Describing possible roles of neuromodulators in the control of phonotaxis in female cricket Acheta domesticus.
The recognition of a male’s call by female cricket Acheta domesticus and its resulting orientation towards these calls (phonotaxis) illuminates the roles that identified neurons play in controlling behavior. To further the understanding of the neural dynamics and their effects on phonotaxis, our lab has extensively tested behavior in parallel with physiology of such identified auditory neurons. This approach has allowed us to strengthen our model of neural processing in a first order neuron, which influences selective phonotactic behavior in female crickets A. domesticus as demonstrated by our findings. To this end, we have started to evaluate molecular mechanisms, which could possibly affect the plasticity reported in the behavioral and neuronal responses. One such mechanism is the cellular pathway triggered by juvenile hormone III (JH III). This hormone is a key regulator of a wide diversity of developmental and physiological events in insects. It has been demonstrated that high levels of JHIII in female crickets is crucial to their ability to respond phonotactically. Therefore, investigating the cellular mechanisms through which JHIII exerts its action is foundational to understand the model of behavioral control that we have been developing. The methodology for this evaluation will be the same used before which requires the involvement of undergraduate students.