A 3-Dimensional Connectome of the Axonal Tracts within an Octopus Arm
By: Diana Neacsu
Department: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robyn Crook
Cephalopods, such as octopus, have the most complex nervous structure of any invertebrate group which allows them to finely manipulate their arms and suckers to perform a variety of tasks including handling objects, capturing prey, and exploring their environment. In order to better understand the morphology and architecture of the neuronal structures responsible for controlling these limbs, a connectome of the arm of an octopus, Octopus bocki, was created. Using the software program Reconstruct, this 3-dimensional model visually maps the axonal tracts that span the length of their arms and the glial cells interspersed in between. This connectome will provide an anatomical foundation to better understand the motor-sensory circuits involved in such an intricate system and provide an alternative model for neural evolution.