This session will introduce some important invertebrate experimental organisms and consider aspects of evolution of the nervous system with respect to neuronal networks underlying behaviour.

MAIN ORGANIZER:

Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Pflüger
Institute of Biology, Neurobiology, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin; Germany

SPEAKERS

Ildiko Kemenes and George Kemenes
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
"Mechanisms of learning and memory in the pond snail"

Etsuro Ito
Department of Biology, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
"Peptidergic mechanisms in molluscs"

Fred Libersat
Dept. of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
"The manipulation of cockroach behaviour by a wasp reveals insights into mechanisms of motivation and decision"

Graziano Fiorito
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Communale, Naples, Italy
"The Octopus brain: cognition in an invertebrate"

Hans-Joachim Pflüger
Inst. Biology/Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
"Biogenic amines: orchestrators of behaviour"

 

SUMMARY

Molecular biology and genetics have convincingly shown that the nervous systems of invertebrates and vertebrates share basic and fundamental properties to the extent that invertebrates exhibit pre-cognitive and, perhaps, even “cognitive” behaviour. Thus, the neuronal circuits or networks underlying the most complex behaviours of the most advanced organisms, i.e. primates, are already pre-structured in invertebrates. This session will dwell upon research having a strong evolutionary aspect, and it will present some excellent examples where studies of invertebrates, here in particular insects and mollusks, contributed to understanding more complex nervous systems. The session will be of interest to all those that are interested in the evolution of nervous systems and into a comparative physiological aspect. In focusing on mollusks and insects it will reflect strongholds of research in Europe and Hungary.