Neuroelectronics Research Flanders

Description Evading imminent predator threat is critical for survival. Effective defensive strategies can vary, even between closely related species. However, the neural basis of such species-specific behaviours is still poorly understood. Here we find that two sister species of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) show different responses to the same looming stimulus: P. maniculatus, which occupies densely vegetated habitats, predominantly escapes, while the open field specialist, P.

Highlights Exploratory behaviors are central to the study of curiosity, since they allow us to infer an otherwise hidden state of being curious from quantitative, experimental observations. Reactive orienting behaviors reflect a fundamental form of curiosity and are driven by the immediate novelty and/or surprise of stimuli.

Virginie Oberto1, 2, 3, 4, Jumpei Matsumoto5, Marco N. Pompili1, Ralitsa Todorova1, Francesco Papaleo6, Hisao Nishijo5, Laurent Venance1, Marie Vandecasteele1 and Sidney I.