Cole Gilbert
Associate Professor
cg23@cornell.edu
Areas of Expertise
Neuroethology, Insect Physiology, Sensori-motor coordination, Evolution of sensory systems, General entomology
Research
The goal of my research is to understand the current physiological function and evolutionary history of sensori-motor coordination used in visually-guided behavior by employing behavioral, kinematic, electrophysiological, neuroanatomical and computational modeling approaches. This research has two major thrusts: terrestrial (2D) pursuit of prey by tiger beetles and aerial (3D) chases of mates by male muscoid flies. Both systems suffer from a similar problem, namely relative motion of the observer and target degrades the visual contrast of the target, which adversely influences the neural input signal to the observer’s guidance system. Our current focus in the 2D project is to understand how regional differentiation of spatiotemporal properties of the retina may be adaptively tuned to reduce the adverse effects of contrast degradation. Such problems afflict all moving creatures, but have yet to be investigated physiologically in any species. Our current focus in the 3D system is on the evolution of a proprioceptive sense organ in the neck that monitors head posture, and thus, direction of gaze in flies, order Diptera. We have documented that this organ arose de novo in the higher Nematocera and are studying its function in primitive flies and its development in higher flies to address how new sense organs can arise in lineages. Current evolutionary models all require modification, and hence loss, of a preexisting organ, which is not the case in this system. In addition to my research, I teach two courses in the entomology core curriculum, Insect Biology and Insect Physiology. Insect Biology employs lectures combined with a laboratory requirement for an insect collection that emphasizes field work and use of a teaching collection. This course is a prerequisite for all upper level courses, so I expect students to acquire a broad background in entomology, including insect systematics, ecology, behavior, physiology, and applied topics. Insect Physiology uses lectures and a hands-on laboratory in which students work in pairs using modern equipment to examine functions of each organ system. Students leave this course with a good grasp of general physiological concepts, as well as some methodological skills appropriate for investigating insects.
Courses Taught
ENTOM 4830 Insect Physiology
ENTOM 6620 Insect Behavior
ENTOM 6850 Seminar in Insect Physiology
ENTOM 6620 Insect Behavior
ENTOM 6850 Seminar in Insect Physiology
Publications (last 5 years)
- Villarreal, S.M. and C. Gilbert, 2011. The unique counting call of a katydid, Scudderia pistillata (Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae). Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer.104:945-951.
- Gilbert, C. 2008. Visual neuroscience: Molecular approaches elucidate motion detecting circuitry. Curr. Biol. 18:745-748.
- Gilbert, C. and L.P.S. Kuenen. 2008. Multimodal integration: Visual cues help odor-seeking flies straighten up and fly right. Curr. Biol. 18:295-297.
- Gilbert, C. and M.P. Kim. 2007. Effects of male age and cervical proprioceptors on sexual aerial pursuit by male flesh flies, Neobellieria bullata (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Jour. Insect Behavior, 20:427-435.
- Gilbert, C. 2007. Hypercomplex cells in the arthropod visual system. Curr. Biol. 17: 412-414.