And finally, how to map a fly’s brain in 20 million easy steps. The brain of a fruit fly is the size of a poppy seed, and yet these insects are capable of sophisticated behaviors like navigating landscapes, tussling with rivals and serenading potential mates. Since 2014, researchers have been mapping the fly’s brain in an effort to create a comprehensive wiring diagram, known as a connectome. In total, the connectome of the central complex includes nearly 3,000 neurons, about 3 percent of those in the fly’s brain. Eve Edelheit compiled photos for this briefing.

Source: New York Times October 26, 2021 23:11 UTC