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Insects tiny brains capable of giant feats |
SYDNEY: Insects may have tiny brains
the size of a pinhead, but latest research shows just how clever they really
are. For the first time, researchers from the University of Adelaide's
physiology department have worked out how insects judge the speed of moving
objects.
It appears that insect brain cells have additional
mechanisms which can calculate how to make a controlled landing on a flower or
reach a food source. This ability only works in a natural setting. David
O'Carroll, associate professor from University of Adelaide, who led the study,
says insects have well identified brain cells dedicated to analyzing visual
motion, which are very similar to humans.
"We have known for many
years that they can estimate the direction of moving objects but until now we
have not known how they judge speed like other animals," O'Carroll
says.
"It appears they take into account different light patterns in
nature, such as a foggy morning or a sunny day, and their brain cells adapt
accordingly.
"This mechanism enables them to distinguish moving
objects in natural settings. It also highlights the fact that single neurons can
exhibit extremely complex behaviour."
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