Multisensory integration in Drosophila

¹ College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
² Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, M1C 1A4, Canada
³ Life science college, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China

^a CandyTang@tongji.edu.cn
^b canran.zhou@mail.utoronto.ca
^* Corresponding author: Chengyx9@mail2.sysu.edu.cn
^# co-first authors

Abstract

Multisensory integration (MSI) is a crucial process by which organisms combine information from multiple senses to enhance their perception and adapt to the environment. This review focuses on MSI in Drosophila, an ideal model organism due to its well-characterized neural circuitry and genetic tractability. We first describe the five main sensory modalities (vision, olfaction, gustation, mechanosensation, and thermosensation) and how they contribute to the Drosophila’s behavior. Then, we discuss the basic models of MSI, including feedback, convergence, gating, parallelism, and association. The underlying neural circuits involved in MSI, such as those related to foraging, navigation, and feeding behaviors, are also explored. Additionally, we highlight the role of neuromodulators in regulating MSI and its functional significance in enhancing information acquisition and decision-making. Overall, understanding MSI in Drosophila provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying complex behaviors and serves as a foundation for further studies in other organisms, ultimately helping us better understand how the nervous system processes and integrates multisensory information.