Parallel visual pathways with topographic versus non-topographic organization connect the Drosophila eyes to the central brain

Summary One hallmark of the visual system is a strict retinotopic organization from the periphery towards the central brain, where functional imaging in Drosophila revealed a spatially accurate representation of visual cues in the central complex. This raised the question how, on a circuit level, the topographic features are implemented, as the majority of visual neurons entering the central brain converge in optic glomeruli. We discovered a spatial segregation of topographic versus non-topographic projections of distinct classes of medullo-tubercular (MeTu) neurons into a specific visual glomerulus, the anterior optic tubercle (AOTU). These parallel channels synapse onto different tubercular-bulbar (TuBu) neurons which in turn relay visual information onto specific central complex ring neurons in the bulb neuropil. Hence, our results provide the circuit basis for spatially accurate representation of visual information and highlight the AOTU's role as a prominent relay station for spatial information from the retina to the central brain.