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What role do Mauthner neurons play in a goldfish’s startle response?
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Animal
The fallow deer (Dama dama) has been introduced in many areas ever since the Neolithic Period.
In the goldfish (Carassius auratus), Mauthner neurons are a bilateral pair of neurons located in the hindbrain that serve as the primary neural mechanism for the startle response.1
When a predator strikes from the side, these neurons process sensory input from the lateral line system to trigger an instantaneous escape maneuver. The process functions as follows:1
- Detection and Activation: Each Mauthner neuron receives input from the lateral line sensors on its respective side of the body. When a neuron fires, it activates musculature on the opposite side of the body.1
- Mutual Inhibition: There is strong inhibition between the left and right Mauthner neurons. If one fires, it inactivates the other, ensuring that the fish does not receive conflicting signals.1
- Escape Execution: This coordination causes the goldfish to assume a C-like shape away from the attacker within 20 milliseconds. A subsequent contraction on the opposite side then propels the fish sideways to safety.1
Essentially, these neurons are specialized devices that solve the specific behavioral problem of predator avoidance.1