Identified neurons and the future of neuroethology

Ethologists have, in effect, opened up a vast area for physiological study by drawing attention to fixed action patterns and other stereotyped forms of instinctive behavior and by implying common physiological mechanisms underlying common behaviors in related species. Examples of such behavior in invertebrates are considered, to establish guidelines as to which behaviors may most profitably be studied by comparative neurophysiologists. These include: escape swimming and other locomotor patterns, and courtship behavior. The chosen forms should be ones in which there is a good prospect of recording intracellularly from the central neurons involved in the behavior. These neurons must be ones that can be identified individually if the biophysical events that cause the behaviors are to be described in critically acceptable terms. It is desirable that both genetic and developmental research be combined with the behavioral and physiological studies. Advantages and disadvantages of various types of invertebrates are compared, and it is concluded that a large insect offers the best overall prospects for neuroethology.