Affiliation:
1. Leiden University (emeritus), Laan van Berendrecht 236, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands
Abstract
This communication presents a concise overview of reports in the literature concerning the occurrence of extratelencephalic fibre tracts in birds and the comparability of these tracts with the mammalian pyramidal tract. Emphasis is on the intratelencephalic organization, in particular that of the intratelencephalic sensorimotor circuits processing information from all important types of sense organs. It is suggested that two descending tracts, the occipitomesencephalic tract and the basal tractus superficialis medialis in birds have the same role in guiding behaviour as the pyramidal pathway in mammals. However, the differences in origin, trajectory and targets suggest that two independent systems may have developed in birds. One of these, the basal tractus superficialis medialis, represents the homologue of the pyramidal tract. It is suggested that the occipitomesencephalic tract is a specific feature of birds that has developed during the evolution from the early dinosaurs to birds. This suggestion follows from recent observations on the evolution of birds.
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献