摘要：SummaryMany animals perceive features of higher-order visual motion that are beyond the spatiotemporal correlations of luminance defined in first-order motion. Although the neural mechanisms of first-order motion detection have become understood in recent years, those underlying higher-order motion perception remain unclear. Here, we established a paradigm to assess the detection of theta motion—a type of higher-order motion—in freely walkingDrosophila. Behavioral screening using this paradigm identified two clusters of neurons in the central brain, designated as R18C12, which were required for perception of theta motion but not for first-order motion. Furthermore, theta motion-activated R18C12 neurons were structurally and functionally located downstream of visual projection neurons in lobula, lobula columnar cells LC16, which activated R18C12 neurons via interactions of acetylcholine (ACh) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). The current study provides new insights into LC neurons and the neuronal mechanisms underlying visual information processing in complex natural scenes.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Perception of theta motion requires LC16 and R18C12 neurons•R18C12 neurons are activated by theta motion•R18C12 neurons form synaptic connections with LC16 neurons•LC16 neurons activate R18C12 neurons through ACh acting on mAChRBiological Sciences; Neuroscience; Molecular Neuroscience; Sensory Neuroscience
