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Comparative brain morphology of Neotropical parrots (Aves, Psittaciformes) inferred from virtual 3D endocasts
- Source :
- SEDICI (UNLP), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, instacron:UNLP
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2015.
-
Abstract
- Psittaciformes are a very diverse group of non-passerine birds, with advanced cognitive abilities and highly developed locomotor and feeding behaviours. Using computed tomography and three-dimensional (3D) visualization software, the endocasts of 14 extant Neotropical parrots were reconstructed, with the aim of analysing, comparing and exploring the morphology of the brain within the clade. A 3D geomorphometric analysis was performed, and the encephalization quotient (EQ) was calculated. Brain morphology character states were traced onto a Psittaciformes tree in order to facilitate interpretation of morphological traits in a phylogenetic context. Our results indicate that: (i) there are two conspicuously distinct brain morphologies, one considered walnut type (quadrangular and wider than long) and the other rounded (narrower and rostrally tapered); (ii) Psittaciformes possess a noticeable notch between hemisphaeria that divides the bulbus olfactorius; (iii) the plesiomorphic and most frequently observed characteristics of Neotropical parrots are a rostrally tapered telencephalon in dorsal view, distinctly enlarged dorsal expansion of the eminentia sagittalis and conspicuous fissura mediana; (iv) there is a positive correlation between body mass and brain volume; (v) psittacids are characterized by high EQ values that suggest high brain volumes in relation to their body masses; and (vi) the endocranial morphology of the Psittaciformes as a whole is distinctive relative to other birds. This new knowledge of brain morphology offers much potential for further insight in paleoneurological, phylogenetic and evolutionary studies.<br />Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Histology
Otras Ciencias Biológicas
Biología
Character mapping
Zoology
Neuroimaging
Context (language use)
Biology
Endocranial morphology
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Ciencias Biológicas
03 medical and health sciences
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Parrots
0302 clinical medicine
medicine
Animals
Zoología
Molecular Biology
Phylogeny
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Geometric morphometrics
Phylogenetic tree
Cerebrum
Brain morphometry
Brain
Cell Biology
Encephalization quotient
Biological Evolution
Symposium Articles
Anatomy, Comparative
medicine.anatomical_structure
Evolutionary biology
Brain size
Psittaciformes
3D brain reconstructions
Anatomy
Aves
CIENCIAS NATURALES Y EXACTAS
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Endocast
Developmental Biology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14697580 and 00218782
- Volume :
- 229
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Anatomy
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....439f81d2d3892be3a5f37d1dc39535b3