Two brain circuits coordinate fruit flies' wing and leg movements to threaten rivals
Limbs evolved as a means of locomotion. From the primitive rotating flagella of bacteria to the wings of flies and even our own legs, animals use these appendages to travel to find food or mates or escape predators. But in countless species across the animal kingdom, limbs are repurposed to create elaborate social displays: Birds of paradise fan out their wings and hop around in courtship dances,…
New research from Caltech neuroscientists reveals how two distinct brain circuits in fruit flies coordinate wing and leg movements to create elaborate social displays. Male Drosophila melanogaster exhibit four specific behaviors during aggression, including a wing V-shape, stuttering bursts, turning, and rapid wing pumping. These actions resemble human intimidation tactics like puffing up the chest.
The study, led by Caltech graduate student Shuo Cao, identifies two brain modules: one controlling wing movements and the other managing leg actions. AIP neurons, located in the fly's brain, activate specific cells that govern these threatening behaviors. When activated together, these cells produce the unique wing movements necessary for a threat display.
The neurons responsible for wing movements differ from those controlling leg actions, indicating evolutionary specialization. This discovery showcases how limbs, originally designed for locomotion, can be repurposed for social signaling—a phenomenon known as exaptation. Future studies aim to explore how sensory cues influence these neural circuits and investigate threat displays in other fruit fly species.
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