Descending signals from the brain play critical roles in controlling and modulating locomotion kinematics. In the nervous system, descending AVB premotor interneurons exclusively form gap junctions with the B-type motor neurons that execute forward locomotion. We combined genetic analysis, optogenetic manipulation, calcium imaging, and computational modeling to elucidate the function of AVB-B gap junctions during forward locomotion. First, we found that some B-type motor neurons generate rhythmic activity, constituting distributed oscillators. Second, AVB premotor interneurons use their electric inputs to drive bifurcation of B-type motor neuron dynamics, triggering their transition from stationary to oscillatory activity. Third, proprioceptive couplings between neighboring B-type motor neurons entrain the frequency of body oscillators, forcing coherent bending wave propagation. Despite substantial anatomical differences between the motor circuits of and higher model organisms, converging principles govern coordinated locomotion.

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Aim The Sino‐Himalayas have higher species richness than adjacent regions, making them a global biodiversity hotspot. Various mechanisms, including ecological constraints, energetic constraints, diversification rate (DivRate) variation, time‐for‐speciation effect and multiple colonizations, have been posited to explain this pattern. We used pheasants (Aves: Phasianidae) as a model group to test these hypotheses and to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes that have generated the extraordinary diversity in these mountains. Location Sino‐Himalayas and adjacent regions. Taxon Pheasants. Methods Using distribution maps predicted by species distribution models (SDMs) and a time‐calibrated phylogeny for pheasants, we examined the relationships between species richness and predictors including net primary productivity (NPP), niche diversity (NicheDiv), DivRate, evolutionary time (EvolTime) and colonization frequency using Pearson's correlations and structural equation modelling (SEM). We reconstructed ancestral ranges at nodes and examined basal/derived species patterns to reveal the mechanisms underlying species richness gradients in the Sino‐Himalayas. Results We found that ancestral pheasants originated in Africa in the early Oligocene (~33 Ma), and then colonized the Sino‐Himalayan mountains and other regions. In the Sino‐Himalayas, species richness was strongly related to DivRate, NPP, NicheDiv and colonization frequency, but weakly correlated with EvolTime. The direct effects of NicheDiv and DivRate on richness were stronger than NPP and EvolTime. NPP indirectly influenced species richness via DivRate, but its effect on richness via NicheDiv was relatively weak. Main conclusions Higher species diversity in the Sino‐Himalayas was generated by both ecological and evolutionary mechanisms. An increase in available niches, rapid diversifications and multiple colonizations was found to be key direct processes for the build‐up of the diversity hotspots of pheasants in the Sino‐Himalayan mountains. Productivity had an important but indirect effect on species richness, which worked through increased DivRate. Our study offers new insights on species accumulation in the Sino‐Himalayas and provides a useful model for understanding other biodiversity hotspots.