ArticleiScience2026
Behavioral algorithms of ontogenetic switching in larval and juvenile zebrafish phototaxis.
Article in iScience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Visuomotor decision-making through multifeature convergence in the larval zebrafish hindbrain.Nature communications · 2026Article
- Developmental and genetic modulation of evidence integration dynamics in zebrafish sensorimotor decision-making.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026Article
- Parallel and convergent pathways for multifeature visual processing in larval zebrafish sensorimotor decision-making.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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Abstract
Animals undergo major behavioral adjustments during ontogeny, but how the underlying cognitive algorithms change during this process remains elusive. Here, we describe that zebrafish shift from light-seeking to dark-seeking as they grow from larval to juvenile stage. Combining complementary phototaxis assays in virtual reality and modeling, we dissect the computational basis of this transition. We identify three parallel pathways, one analyzing ambient whole-field luminance levels, one spatially comparing light levels across the eyes, and one computing luminance change in each eye. Larvae mostly use the latter two computations, whereas juveniles largely employ the first one. Using a library of agent-based models, we predict behavior in more complex environments. Model-based extraction of latent cognitive variables suggests potential neural correlates of this behavioral inversion. We suggest that zebrafish phototaxis is regulated via parallel processing streams, which could be a universal mechanism for adjusting behavior depending on developmental stage, context, or internal state.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.