Neuropad: An Identified Neuron Database for Insect Segmental

Ganglia

Christopher Comer John Dowd

Motivations:

• Store anatomical records*

(with some functional data)

• Facilitate comparative studies

*experimental observations, but also canonical descriptions of cells

Background:

1.

2.Workshop1994Jacobs et al.

Target: Orthopteroid Insects

Example of record for classic insect neuron DCMD (from prototype version of Neuropad)

Search records by:

• Genus or species

• Name or ID of cell

• Sensory modalities

• Anatomical properties

Soma position

Decussation

Neurite pattern (similarity)

How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 1. specify soma location within ganglionic grid

How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2a. Point and click to render main neurites

How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2b. Point and click to render main neurites

How schematic anatomical summary is entered: 2c. Point and click to finish rendering neurites

Finished Product (Sa = supraesophageal ganglion (brain), Sb = subesophageal ganglion, T1 = first thoracic ganglion etc. P, D, T = proto- deutero- and trito-cerebrum)

Example of record in current version of Neuropad:Has schematic anatomy and hi-res version from published description

Using Using NeuropadNeuropad schematics to summarize DCMD schematics to summarize DCMD Anatomy Anatomy (and suggest hypotheses about functional (and suggest hypotheses about functional correlations):correlations):

Perplaneta Locusta GryllusPerplaneta Locusta Gryllus

Result from comparison: Cerebral anatomy of Result from comparison: Cerebral anatomy of cricket DCMD similar to cockroach, cricket DCMD similar to cockroach, notnot locust: locust: (data from Leung and Comer)(data from Leung and Comer)

Ultimately….. Design of Neuron Databases

should allow us to:

• Enter experimental observations easily

• Test ideas on circuit design

• Understand the evolution of neuronal circuits