Play-like behavior exhibited by the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Here, we identify voluntary spinning on a carousel as idiosyncratic play-like behavior in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster: while some flies show spontaneous avoidance, others actively seek stimulation, engaging in repeated, prolonged visits to the carousel. We propose that animals voluntarily expose themselves to external forces, thus intentionally receiving exafferent stimulation. This deliberate, yet indirect, proprioceptive stimulation provides an efficient way to improve self-perception via internal model training and shaping multisensory integration. Importantly, this theoretical framework can now be tested empirically in flies. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

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