The locust DCMD, a movement-detecting neurone tightly tuned to collision trajectories

A Silicon Graphics computer was used to challenge the locust descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD) neurone with images of approaching objects. The DCMD gave its strongest response, measured as either total spike number or spike frequency, to objects approaching on a direct collision course. Deviation in either a horizontal or vertical direction from a direct collision course resulted in a reduced response. The decline in the DCMD response with increasing deviation from a collision course was used as a measure of the tightness of DCMD tuning for collision trajectories. Tuning was defined as the half-width of the response when it had fallen to half its maximum level. The response tuning, measured as averaged mean spike number versus deviation away from a collision course, had a half-width at half-maximum response of 2.4 °­3.0 ° for a deviation in the horizontal direction and 3.0 ° for a deviation in the vertical direction. Mean peak spike frequency showed an even sharper tuning, with a half-width at half-maximum response of 1.8 ° for deviations away from a collision course in the horizontal plane.