Showing papers in "Brain Behavior and Evolution in 1980"
TL;DR: The dorsal and ventral vertebral muscles of the back and the tail of the albino Norway rat are described and discussed and movements of the vertebral column produced by direct unilateral or bilateral muscle stimulation were observed for a number of the muscles.
Abstract: The dorsal and ventral vertebral muscles of the back and the tail of the albino Norway rat are described and discussed. These muscles were analyzed because they are undoubtably used during the sexual posturing, lordosis, of the female rat, as well as participating in a variety of other behaviors. The muscles are described by region (thoracic-lumbar or sacrocaudal), and the classifications of Vallois are followed where possible. Of the epaxial (dorsal) muscles, the three longitudinal systems of muscles, the transversospinalis, the longissimus, and the iliocostalis systems, can be identified in the albino rat. Muscles of the transversospinalis system are fused in the lumbar region, distinct and specialized in the thoracic region, and form the tail muscle extensor caudae medialis caudally. The iliocostalis system of the lumbar region is fused with one component of the lumbar longissimus system to form lateral longissimus. Anteriorly, iliocostalis thoracis and cervicis represent the iliocostalis system. The lumbar longissimus system is represented by the longissimus component of lateral longissimus, medial longissimus, and a short-fiber component. Longissimus dorsi is the anterior continuation of the longissimus portion of the lateral longissimus. The short-fiber component also continues into the thoracic region, where it becomes difficult to separate out from longissimus dorsi. Medial longissimus represents the excursion into the lumbar region of the long, tendinous, tailbase-tail muscle, longissimus caudae; the caudal portion of this muscle is extensor caudae lateralis. The remaining dorsal muscle described is the tail muscle, abductor caudae dorsalis. The hyposomal (ventral) muscles described are quadratus lumborum and the intertransversarii, present in the lumbar region; the muslces iliococcygeus, pubococcygeus and coccygeus which arise from the medial face of the pelvis and insert onto the proximal tail; the long, tendinous, tail muscles, flexor caudae brevis and longus; and the ventral and lateral set of segmental tail muscles. The innervation of the lumbar transversospinalis muscles by the medial branches and of lateral longissimus by the lateral branches of the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves was traced and confirmed by electrical stimulation of the nerve branches. The innervation of medial longissimus is also described. Additionally, movements of the vertebral column produced by direct unilateral or bilateral muscle stimulation were observed for a number of the muscles.
211 citations
TL;DR: Olfactory threshold and detection ability remained unaffected by any of these lesions; however, subjects with MD and RS lesions were markedly impaired on odor discriminations and were more profoundly impaired when the stimuli to be discriminated were novel or difficult to associate.
Abstract: The "core" subnucleus of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) receives direct input from olfactory cortex in the rat. This part of MD projects to the frontal neocortex of the rhinal sulcus (RS), while other parts of the MD project to the anterior medial wall of the neocortex (MW). In this study, rats were tested on odor threshold, detection of specific odors, and three odor discriminations both before and after lesions of MD, MW, RS, or sham lesions. Olfactory threshold and detection ability remained unaffected by any of these lesions; however, subjects with MD and RS lesions were markedly impaired on odor discriminations. Furthermore, subjects were more profoundly impaired when the stimuli to be discriminated were novel or difficult to associate. Thus, MD and its "olfactory" projection target, RS, seem to mediate cognitive, rather than sensory aspects of odor-guided behavior in the rat.
183 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the basilar papilla in the inner ear is tuned differentially in males and females and a model for detection of vocalizations of specific durations is postulated and discussed in the light of the observed calling behavior of the male as well as the response properties of a class of cells found in the torus semicircularis.
Abstract: Male Puerto Rican treefrogs, Eleutherodactylus coqui, produce a two-note call: a 100-msec constant frequency ''Co'' note, followed by a longer, upward sweeping ''Qui'' note. Previou
138 citations
TL;DR: The finding that the hand preferred on the first reach was predictive of that preferred over the entire series of 600 reaches in a significant proportion of individuals is suggests that past experimental or developmental factors influence the hand preference displayed in later circumstances.
Abstract: Monkeys were observed for hand preference during simple reaching for food. The position of the animal relative to the food had only a slight influence upon the strength of hand preference. With repeated reaching, the strength of preference for the preferred hand tended to increase. The hand preferred on the first reach was predictive of that preferred over the entire series of 600 reaches in a significant proportion of individuals. This was not true of the animals presumed to be youngest and suggests that past experimental or developmental factors influence the hand preference displayed in later circumstances.
104 citations
TL;DR: The role of the thalamocortical ''olfactory'' pathway in odor preferences and sexual behavior was examined in the hamster, a species which depends crucially upon olfaction for mating.
Abstract: The role of the thalamocortical "olfactory" pathway in odor preferences and sexual behavior was examined in the hamster, a species which depends crucially upon olfaction for mating Before and after ablation of primary or secondary olfactory structures, male hamsters were tested for threshold, interest, and preference for the odor of an estrus female hamster and other odors Sexual competency was also observed in daily mating sessions Disruption of the primary olfactory pathway resulted in an absence of interest in odors and mating Lesions of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus or frontal neocortex of the rhinal sulcus did not result in anosmia, but did eliminate or alter odor preferences and resulted in inappropriate, inefficient, precopulatory and copulatory behavior It appears that substructures in the thalamofrontal pathway playa role in discriminative or cognitive aspects of processing adaptively significant stimuli
102 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that groups of neurones can also be regarded as biological populations, and that at least three distinct types of variation can be found within any neural population: role-indicating variation, which enables different cells or groups of cells to perform different functions; systematic variation, who allows different cells (or sometimes the same cell) to perform a particular function under varying conditions.
Abstract: Within any biological population there is considerable variation in the physical characteristics of individual members, and the understanding and classification of such populations always depends on the interpretation of this variation. A major point of this paper is that groups of neurones can also be regarded as biological populations, and that at least three distinct types of variation can be found within any neural population:role-indicating variation, which enables different cells or groups of cells to perform different functions; systematic variation, which allows different cells (or sometimes the same cell) to perform a particular function under varying conditions; and residual variation, which is principally related to mechanisms of evolution and provides the population with its biological adaptability. Examples of these three types of variation are suggested for a number of properties of retinal ganglion cell populations. A second major point is that any functional classification of nerve cells should contain multiple taxonomic levels, corresponding to different levels of complexity and interaction within the nervous system. Thus, individual cells can belong to more than one group, each at a different taxonomic level, and these groups of cells can be viewed as interacting with each other rather than as operating in isolation. A multiple-level classification of cat retinal ganglion cells is presented with two broad groups, each subdivided into two lower-level groups, and an attempt is made to identify the categories of visual function to which these groups are related.
69 citations
TL;DR: This review has three primary goals: to review the pertinent anatomical and electrophysiological literature dealing with axon branching, to emphasize the need for applying recently developed techniques, such as double-labeling of neurons and electrical collision, to the study of axon collateralization, and to formulate some hypotheses concerning the functional significance ofAxon branching.
Abstract: Axon collateralization appears to represent a prominent feature of the mammalian visual system. Both anatomical and electrophysiological evidence reveal that axon branching occurs in the retinofugal, geniculocortical and visual corticifugal projections. Most of this evidence is provided by studies on the cat, but enough data are available from investigations on the rat and monkey to permit certain interspecies differences to be recognized and evaluated. Axon branching allows individual axons to provide innervation to two or more targets and generally to transmit the same type of visual information to these targets. There is abundant evidence to suggest that two of the three functional classes of retinal ganglion cells and geniculate relay cells (namely Y and W ganglion and relay cells) utilize axon branching; however, few details regarding this subject are currently available. The third functional class of ganglion and relay cells (X ganglion and relay cells) essentially lacks axon branches.This review has three primary goals: (1) to review the pertinent anatomical and electrophysiological literature dealing with axon branching and to discuss areas in which information is meager and further investigation necessary; (2) to emphasize the need for applying recently developed techniques, such as double-labeling of neurons and electrical collision, to the study of axon collateralization, and (3) to formulate some hypotheses concerning the functional significance of axon branching.
35 citations
TL;DR: A closer potential coupling between the primary input and output systems of the spinal cord than in the turtle Testudo hermanni seems to be related to the long multijointed digits in the lizard studied which give its limbs a marked prehensile character.
Abstract: The distribution of dorsal root fibers into the spinal cord as well as to the brainstem have been studied in various types of reptiles. At the site of entrance into the spinal cord no clear segregation of large fibers medially and smaller fibers laterally has been observed. A peculiarity for reptiles seems to be a lateral bundle of primary afferent fibers which traverses the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus. The fibers of this bundle enter the spinal gray at the lateral side of the dorsal horn. Notable variation in the distribution of dorsal root fibers has been observed in the reptiles studied. In the turtle Testudo hermanni and in the snake Python reticulatus almost no fibers were found to extend into the ventral horn. However, in the lizard Tupinambis nigropunctatus a distinct projection into the ventral horn was observed. This closer potential coupling between the primary input and output systems of the spinal cord than in the turtle Testudo hermanni seems to be related to the long multijointed digits in the lizard studied which give its limbs a marked prehensile character.
32 citations
TL;DR: The retrograde transport technique of horseradish peroxidase is used and it is shown that in the prosimian primate Galago senegalensis both striate and extrastriate cortex contribute a substantial projection to the contralateral hemisphere.
Abstract: Previous studies have shown interhemispheric visual connections in primates to be limited to extrastriate cortex. Using the retrograde transport technique of horseradish peroxidase, we show that in the prosimian primate Galago senegalensis both striate and extrastriate cortex contribute a substantial projection to the contralateral hemisphere. Thus, the lack of an interhemispheric projection from area 17 is not a characteristic of primates and may be peculiar to only a few primate species.
30 citations
TL;DR: Observations indicate that the pontocerebellar system includes a more substantial ipsilateral contribution than has heretofore been recognized, and comparison of the locations of various groups of labeled neurons resulting from spatially separate injection sites suggests the possibility that some pontocephalic neurons might diverge to reach more than one cerebellar zone.
Abstract: The method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase was employed to demonstrate certain organizational features of the pontocerebellar system in adult opossums. The spinal cerebellum (anterior lobe, pyramis and paramedian lobule) receives input from neurons situated in ventral and lateral regions throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the pons. The projection to the anterior lobe and pyramis was primarily contralateral, whereas the projection to the paramedian lobule included a substantial ipsilateral contribution. The pontine projection to the vermal visual-auditory area was also found to include significant bilateral components which were observed to be organized in mirror image locations in medial, ventral and lateral regions. The paraflocculus was found to receive input from a relatively large number of pontine neurons, the medial injection producing a more bilateral distribution of labeled neurons while the lateral injection resulted in primarily contralateral labeling. Crus I and crus II of the cerebellar hemispheres received a bilateral projection which also included neurons distributed in mirror image locations in both halves of the pontine gray. Taken together such observations indicate that the pontocerebellar system includes a more substantial ipsilateral contribution than has heretofore been recognized. In addition, comparison of the locations of various groups of labeled neurons resulting from spatially separate injection sites suggests the possibility that some pontocerebellar neurons might diverge to reach more than one cerebellar zone, i.e. cells in a similar ventrolateral pontine region were labeled following injections in the anterior lobe, pyramis and crus I. Evidence for convergence of multiple pontine areas to single cerebellar foci was not as compelling.
26 citations
TL;DR: The growth and development of these two approaches to the study of visual receptive field physiology are traced, from 1938 to the present, by dividing this period into four segments: 1938--1953, during which the foundations of both approaches were laid; 1953--1966, the major period of growth for feature-extraction analyses; 1966--1975, theMajor period of Growth for parametric analyses; and 1975 to thepresent, duringWhich the parametric approach has been expanded by the incorporation of principles of
Abstract: Two major conceptual approaches to the study of visual receptive field physiology can be identified; one, here termed the ''parametric'' approach, which considers all the properties of a cell to be po
TL;DR: Correlations between progression indices of five categories of nuclei and brain centers indicate that Megachiroptera rely primarily on vision and olfaction while Microchiroptera reliance primarily on audition.
Abstract: Correlations between progression indices of five categories of nuclei and brain centers indicate that Megachiroptera rely primarily on vision and olfaction while Microchiroptera rely primarily on audition. Among Microchiroptera, some rely more heavily on olfaction than on vision as a secondary sense, and vice-versa. There may have been compensatory effects, in the course of evolution, regarding the choice of the primary and secondary information channels.
TL;DR: The localization and organization of primary (SmI) and secondary ( SmI) somatic sensory cortical regions in agoutis, have been studied with micro- and macroelectrode-evoked potential techniques and agree with similar findings from several other species.
Abstract: The localization and organization of primary (SmI) and secondary (SmII) somatic sensory cortical regions in agoutis, have been studied with micro- and macroelectrode-evoked potential techniques. For S
TL;DR: The results indicate that lateral longissimus and the lumbar transversospinalis system are major participants in the rump elevation of lordosis, an early and biologically important component of the lordotic response.
Abstract: Ablations of lateral longissimus, medial longissimus, and the lumbar transversospinalis system were performed singly and sequentially on female albino rats. Animals were tested postoperatively with ma
TL;DR: In 22 adult sharks representing eight species, the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes V) was examined employing the Romanes reduced silver method.
Abstract: In 22 adult sharks representing eight species, the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes V) was examined employing the Romanes reduced silver method. Morphological evidence is presented of extensive d
TL;DR: Using both binocular and monocular viewing conditions, optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) frequency-velocity functions were measured before and after ophthalmic laser-produced retinal lesions.
Abstract: Using both binocular and monocular viewing conditions, optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) frequency-velocity functions were measured before and after ophthalmic laser-produced retinal lesions. With binocular
TL;DR: The relationship between sensory specializations and behavioral specializations in two ecologically distinct species of squirrels was examined and the relative density of receptors in the glabrous forepaw skin of tree squirrels is significantly higher than that in ground squirrels.
Abstract: The relationship between sensory specializations and behavioral specializations in two ecologically distinct species of squirrels was examined. It was predicted that the relative density of receptors in the glabrous forepaw skin of tree squirrels (Sciurus niger), which are skilled climbers and manipulate food items extensively, would be higher than that in ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), which dig underground burrows. In addition to testing this prediction, several other aspects of the distribution of receptors were quantitatively examined in silver-stained material. As predicted, the relative density of receptors in the glabrous forepaw skin of tree squirrels is significantly higher than that in ground squirrels. Receptors are randomly dispersed and different classes of receptors (corpuscular vs. non-corpuscular) are intermingled in the palmar skin of both species. The proportions of the different classes of receptors do not differ among species.
TL;DR: Scanning electron microscopic observations reveal cerebrospinal fluid contacting and supraependymal cell bodies of the mesencephalic trigeminal (Mes V) nucleus in adult specimens of mako and blue sharks, but not in very young specimens of the smooth dogfish shark.
Abstract: Scanning electron microscopic observations reveal cerebrospinal fluid contacting and supraependymal cell bodies of the mesencephalic trigeminal (Mes V) nucleus in adult specimens of mako and blue sharks, but not in very young specimens of the smooth dogfish shark. Possible functional roles are discussed in terms of participation of cerebrospinal fluid contacting Mes V cells in a neuroendocrine regulatory system. Comparisons are made with light microscopic observations of the relationship of Mes V cells with the ventricular wall. General features of the scanning electron microscopic appearance of the roof of the ventricle of the optic tectum in sharks are described and compared to similar general features found in the third ventricle of a variety of vertebrates.
TL;DR: The Purkinje cells of the premetamorphic frog tadpole cerebellum were studied with the transmission electron microscope and their maturational state varied greatly from randomly oriented cells with a thin rim of cytoplasm to well-formed cells with an abundance of organelle-rich cy toplasm and well-developed dendrites.
Abstract: The Purkinje cells of the premetamorphic frog tadpole cerebellum were studied with the transmission electron microscope. At this stage of histogenesis, when the external granular layer is yet to be formed, their maturational state varied greatly from randomly oriented cells with a thin rim of cytoplasm to well-formed cells with an abundance of organelle-rich cytoplasm and well-developed dendrites. The well-developed cells were seen in the apical (marginal) region of the cerebellar plate and the poorly developed cells in the basal region. Climbing fibers and other unidentified processes formed synapses on the well-developed Purkinje cell somata and somatic dendrites and on the spines and smooth surfaces of the primary dendrites.
TL;DR: The neuroanatomical pathways of the rat disrupted in aphagia and adipsia were investigated using the Fink-Heimer and autoradiographic anterograde tracing procedures and axonal degeneration and not radioactive label were observed.
Abstract: The neuroanatomical pathways of the rat disrupted in aphagia and adipsia were investigated using the Fink-Heimer and autoradiographic anterograde tracing procedures. Following lesions in the lateral hypothalamic complex (LHC) which produce aphagia and adipsia as well as the injection of labeled proline into the LHC, projections were seen in the nucleus accumbens, the preoptic area, the lateral habenular nucleus, the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, the nucleus reuniens, the parafascicular nucleus, the posterior hypothalamus, the zona incerta, the central gray matter, the tegmentum, the substantia nigra (pars compacta), the ventral tegmental area of Tsai and the parabrachial area. However, axonal degeneration and not radioactive label were observed in the mediodorsal thalamus, the superior colliculus, the medial pontine gray, the mesencephalic nucleus of the Vth nerve, the motor nucleus of V, the raphe nuclei and the crus cerebri fiber system. The LHC is discussed as a region which connects with other levels of the central nervous system known to be related to the act of ingestion.
TL;DR: The pretrigeminal nucleus (a structure that may be involved in vocalization) was found to stain strongly for succinic dehydrogenase in seven species of anurans (toads and frogs) representing four fami.
Abstract: The pretrigeminal nucleus (a structure that may be involved in vocalization) was found to stain strongly for succinic dehydrogenase in seven species of anurans (toads and frogs) representing four fami
TL;DR: Comparision of sham-operated groups with groups receiving median nerve (innervating the palmar surface) lesions showed that cutaneous input from the volar surface of the forepaw contributes to the sensory control in both species of squirrels.
Abstract: In a complementary neuroanatomical study by Brenowitz in 1980, it was shown that tree squirrels (Sciurus niger) have a higher relative density of mechanoreceptors in their glabrous forepaw skin than do ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus).The main purpose of this study was to test the prediction that tree squirrels would depend upon somatic sensory (cutaneous) input from their forepaws to a greater extent than would ground squirrels in food handling behavior. In addition, a series of more general questions about the sensory control of food handling was examined. First, using different sized food items, it was shown that food handling (rate of manipulation) is subject to sensory control, in general. Secondly, comparison of sham-operated groups with groups receiving median nerve (innervating the palmar surface) lesions showed that cutaneous input from the volar surface of the forepaw contributes to the sensory control in both species of squirrels. Thirdly, comparison of lesion effects in the two species showed that, as predicted, tree squirrels depend upon cutaneous input from their volar forepaw to a greater extent than do ground squirrels. Fourthly, by reanalyzing the above data it was shown that there is continued sensory feedback from food items rather than only an initial evaluation of them.
TL;DR: Observations indicate that the pontocerebellar system includes a more substantial ipsilateral contribution than has heretofore been recognized, and comparison of the locations of various groups of labeled neurons resulting from spatially separate injection sites suggests the possibility that some pontocephalic neurons might diverge to reach more than one cerebellar zone.
Abstract: The method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase was employed to demonstrate certain organizational features of the pontocerebellar system in adult opossums. The spinal cerebellum (anterior lobe, pyramis and paramedian lobule) receives input from neurons situated in ventral and lateral regions throughout the rostro-caudal extent of the pons. The projection to the anterior lobe and pyramis was primarily contralateral, whereas the projection to the paramedian lobule included a substantial ipsilateral contribution. The pontine projection to the vermal visual-auditory area was also found to include significant bilateral components which were observed to be organized in mirror image locations in medial, ventral and lateral regions. The paraflocculus was found to receive input from a relatively large number of pontine neurons, the medial injection producing a more bilateral distribution of labeled neurons while the lateral injection resulted in primarily contralateral labeling. Crus I and crus II of the cerebellar hemispheres received a bilateral projection which also included neurons distributed in mirror image locations in both halves of the pontine gray. Taken together such observations indicate that the pontocerebellar system includes a more substantial ipsilateral contribution than has heretofore been recognized. In addition, comparison of the locations of various groups of labeled neurons resulting from spatially separate injection sites suggests the possibility that some pontocerebellar neurons might diverge to reach more than one cerebellar zone, i.e. cells in a similar ventrolateral pontine region were labeled following injections in the anterior lobe, pyramis and crus I. Evidence for convergence of multiple pontine areas to single cerebellar foci was not as compelling.
TL;DR: In general, affiliative activities were increased under the influence of methaqualone, manifesting themselves mainly in grooming, hudding or sitting together: phenomena somewhat parallel to those described among humans taking the drug in group settings.
Abstract: In an established social group of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) consisting of 1 adult male, 6 adult females, 1 adolescent male and 2 infants, 3 subjects were selected to study the effects of intramuscular methaqualone (10 mg/kg) on behavioral changes in the treated animals, as well as the rest of the colony. Three drug trials alternating with saline controls were given to the dominant male, a mid-ranking female and the adolescent male. 20 h of observations were made prior to treatment to serve as a baseline, using 40 discrete behaviors. For each drug and saline period, 2h of continuous observation was directed towards each target animal (total 36 h), and 12-min behavioral samplings were carried out on each untreated subject in the colony (36 h). Dependent upon the sex and social rank of the subject, different behavioral changes occurred during drug treatment, which were consistent from trial to trial.New behaviors were observed, such as active grooming, autofellatio and masturbation in both males, while some previous behaviors disappeared or decreased. The mid-ranking female showed an increase in aggressive behavior. A biphasic action of the drug was also observed in all subjects. During the first 80–100 min, the males were mainly passive or engaged in grooming, but after this primary phase, they started either to masturbate or autofellate. After approximately 2 h, the social status and behavior of the animals returned to predrug levels. During the drug treatment, marked changes occurred in the behavior of other colony members, e.g. when the dominant male''s vigilance was lowered, the highest ranking female replaced him in rank.In general, affiliative activities were increased under the influence of methaqualone, manifesting themselves mainly in grooming, huddling or sitting together: phenomena somewhat parallel to those described among humans taking the drug in group settings.
TL;DR: A meaningful approach to the assessment of intelligence which may be used in correlational studies with measures of encephalization and a hierarchy of 8 basic levels of qualitatively different intellective (learning) abilities are described.
Abstract: The goal was to suggest a meaningful approach to the assessment of intelligence which may be used, for example, in correlational studies with measures of encephalization. Suggesting, as others have done, that species comparisons based on quantitative differences inherently confound intellective with nonintellective abilities, the present approach described a hierarchy of 8 basic levels of qualitatively different intellective (learning) abilities. The levels range from habituation to complex concepts. Practical procedures and strategies which, ancrease the precision of the scale were described.
TL;DR: The use of this trait as a phylogenetic indicator in 181 specimens representing 131 species of 16 orders yielded evidence for common ancestry of Insectivora, Chiroptera, Dermoptera, Rodentia, and Primates, since all share the derived trait, their dorsal lateral olfactory tract fibers passing through the accessory Olfactory formation.
Abstract: In mammals the fibers of the dorsal lateral olfactory tract either pass under the accessory olfactory formation, or they penetrate through it separating the internal granule cells from the output cells. The use of this trait as a phylogenetic indicator in 181 specimens representing 131 species of 16 orders yielded evidence for common ancestry of Insectivora, Chiroptera, Dermoptera, Rodentia, and Primates (including Tupaia), since all share the derived trait, their dorsal lateral olfactory tract fibers passing through the accessory olfactory formation. Carnivora (including Pinnipedia), Hyracoidea, Perissodactyla, and most Artiodactyla share the primitive condition (fibers passing under) with the one order of monotremes and three marsupial orders. The Edentata and Lagomorpha may be separate from the two major placental groups and from each other, or they may represent successive stages in the evolution of the derived state through progressive alterations in the relative chronology of development of olfactory system components, or one or both orders may occupy an ancestral position with respect to the dichotomy within placental mammals.