Integration of binocular vision and motor state to promote prey pursuit

Abstract

Most animals with two eyes combine the inputs to achieve binocular vision, which can serve numerous functions, and is particularly useful in hunting prey. However, the mechanisms by which visual information from the two eyes are combined remain largely unknown. To address this question, we identified the binocular neurons that respond to prey in zebrafish (bino-PRNs). These neurons respond specifically to prey, and their activity is enhanced during hunting. To explore the relationship between bino-PRNs and hunting, we optogenetically induced hunting and found that the bino-PRNs receive excitatory input during hunting. To determine the role of the bino-PRNs in behavior, we optogenetically activated them, and found that they promote forward prey capture swims. Our results support a model where bino-PRNs integrate sensory information from the two eyes with hunting state information to drive approach toward prey in the binocular zone.