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Yildiz H, Heise O, Gerhardt B, Fritsch G, Becker R, Ochs A, Sicks F, Buss P, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Hildebrandt T, Brecht M. Macrovibrissae and microvibrissae inversion and lateralization in elephants. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024. [PMID: 39101712 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Elephants are known for strongly lateralized trunk behaviors, but the mechanisms driving elephant lateralization are poorly understood. Here, we investigate features of elephant mouth organization that presumably promote lateralization. We find the lower jaw of elephants is of narrow width, but is rostrally strongly elongated even beyond the jaw bone. Elephant lip vibrissae become progressively longer rostrally. Thus, elephants have two lateral dense, short microvibrissae arrays and central, less dense long macrovibrissae. This is an inversion of the ancestral mammalian facial vibrissae pattern, where central, dense short microvibrissae are flanked by two lateral macrovibrissae arrays. Elephant microvibrissae have smaller follicles than macrovibrissae. Similar to trunk-tip vibrissae, elephant lip microvibrissae show laterally asymmetric abrasion. Observations on Asian zoo elephants indicate lateralized abrasion results from lateralized feeding. It appears that the ancestral mammalian mouth (upper and lower lips, incisors, frontal microvibrissae) is shaped by oral food apprehension. The elephant mouth organization radically changed, however, because trunk-mediated feeding replaced oral apprehension. Such elephant mouth changes include the upper lip-nose fusion to the trunk, the super-flexible elongated lower jaw, the loss of incisors, and lateral rather than frontal microvibrissae. Elephants' specialization for lateral food insertion is reflected by the reduction in the centering effects of oral food apprehension and lip vibrissae patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazal Yildiz
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olivia Heise
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ben Gerhardt
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Guido Fritsch
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Peter Buss
- Kruger National Park, Veterinary Wildlife Services, Skuzuza, South Africa
| | - Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist
- South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), State Veterinary Office & Laboratory, Skukuza, South Africa
| | | | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Weldon A, Burrows AM, Wirdateti W, Nugraha TP, Supriatna N, Smith TD, Nekaris KAI. From masks to muscles: Mapping facial structure of Nycticebus. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38872582 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Facial musculature in mammals underlies mastication and nonverbal communicative facial displays. Our understanding of primate facial expression comes primarily from haplorrhines (monkeys and apes), while our understanding of strepsirrhine (lemurs and lorises) facial expression remains incomplete. We examined the facial muscles of six specimens from three Nycticebus species (Nycticebus coucang, Nycticebus javanicus, and Nycticebus menagensis) using traditional dissection methodology and novel three-dimensional facial scanning to produce a detailed facial muscle map, and compared these results to another nocturnal strepsirrhine genus, the greater bushbaby (Otolemur spp.). We observed 19 muscles with no differences among Nycticebus specimens. A total of 17 muscles were observed in both Nycticebus and Otolemur, with little difference in attachment and function but some difference in directionality of movement. In the oral region, we note the presence of the depressor anguli oris, which has been reported in other primate species but is absent in Otolemur. The remaining muscle is a previously undescribed constrictor nasalis muscle located on the lateral nasal alar region, likely responsible for constriction of the nares. We propose this newly described muscle may relate to vomeronasal organ functioning and the importance of the use of nasal musculature in olfactory communication. We discuss how this combined methodology enabled imaging of small complex muscles. We further discuss how the facial anatomy of Nycticebus spp. relates to their unique physiology and behavioral ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Weldon
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - A M Burrows
- Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - W Wirdateti
- Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency [BRIN], Indonesia
| | - T P Nugraha
- Research Center for Applied Zoology, National Research and Innovation Agency [BRIN], Indonesia
| | - N Supriatna
- National Research and Innovation Agency [BRIN], Indonesia
| | - Timothy D Smith
- School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - K A I Nekaris
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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3
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Bresee CS, Belli HM, Luo Y, Hartmann MJZ. Comparative morphology of the whiskers and faces of mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus). J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245597. [PMID: 37577985 PMCID: PMC10617617 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding neural function requires quantification of the sensory signals that an animal's brain evolved to interpret. These signals in turn depend on the morphology and mechanics of the animal's sensory structures. Although the house mouse (Mus musculus) is one of the most common model species used in neuroscience, the spatial arrangement of its facial sensors has not yet been quantified. To address this gap, the present study quantifies the facial morphology of the mouse, with a particular focus on the geometry of its vibrissae (whiskers). The study develops equations that establish relationships between the three-dimensional (3D) locations of whisker basepoints, whisker geometry (arclength, curvature) and the 3D angles at which the whiskers emerge from the face. Additionally, the positions of facial sensory organs are quantified relative to bregma-lambda. Comparisons with the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) indicate that when normalized for head size, the whiskers of these two species have similar spacing density. The rostral-caudal distances between facial landmarks of the rat are a factor of ∼2.0 greater than the mouse, while the scale of bilateral distances is larger and more variable. We interpret these data to suggest that the larger size of rats compared with mice is a derived (apomorphic) trait. As rodents are increasingly important models in behavioral neuroscience, the morphological model developed here will help researchers generate naturalistic, multimodal patterns of stimulation for neurophysiological experiments and allow the generation of synthetic datasets and simulations to close the loop between brain, body and environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris S. Bresee
- Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208,USA
| | - Hayley M. Belli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yifu Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering,Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208,USA
| | - Mitra J. Z. Hartmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering,Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208,USA
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4
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Omstead KM, Williams J, Weinberg SM, Marazita ML, Burrows AM. Mammalian facial muscles contain muscle spindles. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:2562-2571. [PMID: 36799659 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Muscle spindles are sensory receptors in skeletal muscle that provide information on muscle length and velocity of contraction. Previous studies noted that facial muscles lack muscle spindles, but recent reports indicate that the human platysma muscle and "buccal" muscles contain spindles. Mammalian facial muscles are active in social communication, vibrissa movement, and vocalizations, including human speech. Given these functions, we hypothesized that facial muscles contain muscle spindles, and we predicted that humans would have the greatest number, given the role our lips play in speech. We examined previously sectioned and stained (with H&E and trichrome stains) orbicularis oris (upper fibers) and zygomaticus (major) muscles across a broad phylogenetic range of mammalian species, spanning a wide distribution of body size and ecological niche, to assess the presence of muscle spindles. We also stained several sections with Sirius red to highlight the muscle spindle capsule. Our results indicate that mammalian facial muscles contain muscle spindles, supporting our hypothesis. Contrary to our prediction, though, humans (and other primates) had the lowest number of muscle spindles. We instead found that the carnivoran sample and the horse sample had the greatest number of spindles. Larger body size and nocturnality were also associated with a greater number of spindles. These results must be viewed with caution, though, as our sample size was small and there are critical mammalian taxa missing. Future work should use an expanded phylogenetic range of mammalian species to ascertain the role that phylogeny plays in muscle spindle presence and count.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Madisen Omstead
- Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jade Williams
- Undergraduate Pre-Medical and Health Professions Program, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seth M Weinberg
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mary L Marazita
- Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anne M Burrows
- Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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5
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Grant RA, Ryan H, Breakell V. Demonstrating a measurement protocol for studying comparative whisker movements with implications for the evolution of behaviour. J Neurosci Methods 2023; 384:109752. [PMID: 36435328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studying natural, complex behaviours over a range of different species provides insights into the evolution of the brain and behaviour. Whisker movements reveal complex behaviours; however, there does not yet exist a protocol that is able to capture whisker movements and behaviours in a range of different species. NEW METHOD We develop a new protocol and make recommendations for measuring comparative whisker movements and behaviours. Using two set-ups - an enclosure camera set-up and a high-speed video set-up - we capture and measure the whisker movements of sixteen different captive mammal species from four different animal collections. RESULTS We demonstrate the ability to describe whisker movements and behaviours across a wide range of mammalian species. We describe whisker movements in European hedgehog, Cape porcupine, domestic rabbit, domestic ferret, weasel, European otter and red fox for the first time. We observe whisker movements in all the species we tested, although movement, positions and behaviours vary in a species-specific way. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) The high-speed video set-up is based on the protocols of previous studies. The addition of an enclosure video set-up is entirely new, and allows us to include more species, especially large and shy species that cannot be moved into a high-speed filming arena. CONCLUSIONS We make recommendations for comparative whisker behaviour studies, particularly incorporating individual and species-specific considerations. We believe that flexible, comparative behavioural protocols have wide-ranging applications, specifically to better understand links between the brain and complex behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A Grant
- Department of Natural Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Hazel Ryan
- The Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Kent, United Kingdom
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Rial RV, Canellas F, Akaârir M, Rubiño JA, Barceló P, Martín A, Gamundí A, Nicolau MC. The Birth of the Mammalian Sleep. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050734. [PMID: 35625462 PMCID: PMC9138988 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Mammals evolved from reptiles as a consequence of an evolutionary bottleneck. Some diurnal reptiles extended their activity, first to twilight and then to the entire dark time. This forced the change of the visual system. Pursuing maximal sensitivity, they abandoned the filters protecting the eyes against the dangerous diurnal light, which, in turn, forced immobility in lightproof burrows during light time. This was the birth of the mammalian sleep. Then, the Cretacic-Paleogene extinction of dinosaurs leaved free the diurnal niche and allowed the expansion of a few early mammals to diurnal life and the high variability of sleep traits. On the other hand, we propose that the idling rest is a state showing homeostatic regulation. Therefore, the difference between behavioral rest and wakeful idling is rather low: both show quiescence, raised sensory thresholds, reversibility, specific sleeping-resting sites and body positions, it is a pleasing state, and both are dependent of circadian and homeostatic regulation. Indeed, the most important difference is the unconsciousness of sleep and the consciousness of wakeful idling. Thus, we propose that sleep is a mere upgrade of the wakeful rest, and both may have the same function: guaranteeing rest during a part of the daily cycle. Abstract Mammals evolved from small-sized reptiles that developed endothermic metabolism. This allowed filling the nocturnal niche. They traded-off visual acuity for sensitivity but became defenseless against the dangerous daylight. To avoid such danger, they rested with closed eyes in lightproof burrows during light-time. This was the birth of the mammalian sleep, the main finding of this report. Improved audition and olfaction counterweighed the visual impairments and facilitated the cortical development. This process is called “The Nocturnal Evolutionary Bottleneck”. Pre-mammals were nocturnal until the Cretacic-Paleogene extinction of dinosaurs. Some early mammals returned to diurnal activity, and this allowed the high variability in sleeping patterns observed today. The traits of Waking Idleness are almost identical to those of behavioral sleep, including homeostatic regulation. This is another important finding of this report. In summary, behavioral sleep seems to be an upgrade of Waking Idleness Indeed, the trait that never fails to show is quiescence. We conclude that the main function of sleep consists in guaranteeing it during a part of the daily cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén V. Rial
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-971-173-147; Fax: +34-971-173-184
| | - Francesca Canellas
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Mourad Akaârir
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - José A. Rubiño
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Pere Barceló
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Aida Martín
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - Antoni Gamundí
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
| | - M. Cristina Nicolau
- Laboratori de Neurofisiologia del Son i dels Ritmes Biològics, Grup de Recerca Neurofisiologia del Son i Ritmes Biològics, Department of Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra Valldemossa, km 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain; (F.C.); (M.A.); (J.A.R.); (P.B.); (A.M.); (A.G.); (M.C.N.)
- IdISBa, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears, Hospital Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
- IUNICS, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitary Son Espases, 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
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Milne AO, Orton L, Black CH, Jones GC, Sullivan M, Grant RA. California sea lions employ task-specific strategies for active touch sensing. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:273347. [PMID: 34608932 PMCID: PMC8627572 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Active sensing is the process of moving sensors to extract task-specific information. Whisker touch is often referred to as an active sensory system as whiskers are moved with purposeful control. Even though whisker movements are found in many species, it is unknown whether any animal can make task-specific movements with their whiskers. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) make large, purposeful whisker movements and are capable of performing many whisker-related discrimination tasks. Therefore, California sea lions are an ideal species to explore the active nature of whisker touch sensing. Here, we show that California sea lions can make task-specific whisker movements. California sea lions move their whiskers with large amplitudes around object edges to judge size, make smaller, lateral stroking movements to judge texture and make very small whisker movements during a visual task. These findings, combined with the ease of training mammals and measuring whisker movements, makes whiskers an ideal system for studying mammalian perception, cognition and motor control. Highlighted Article: California sea lions engage in task-specific active touch sensing with their whiskers to discriminate size and differentiate textures, indicating that their whiskers are truly an active sensory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyx O Milne
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.,Events Team, Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP, UK
| | - Llwyd Orton
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
| | | | - Gary C Jones
- Events Team, Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP, UK
| | - Matthew Sullivan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
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8
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Grant RA, Goss VGA. What can whiskers tell us about mammalian evolution, behaviour, and ecology? Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A. Grant
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University John Dalton Building, Chester Street ManchesterM1 5GDUK
| | - Victor G. A. Goss
- School of Engineering London South Bank University Borough Road LondonSE1 0AAUK
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9
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MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF FACIAL VIBRISSAE IN Chaetophractus vellerosus (MAMMALIA, XENARTHRA, DASYPODIDAE) AND DIFFERENTIAL MECHANOPERCEPTION. ZOOLOGY 2020; 140:125773. [PMID: 32408124 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Vibrissae are specialized and complex mechanoreceptor organs present in the skin of most mammals that respond to a diverse mechanical stimuli (e.g. tension, pressure, movement, vibrations) and provide information on distance to the object, its location/orientation, and general characteristics of its surface; also, it may play diverse roles during food acquisition and attacking potential prey. There are scarce papers on the vibrissae of armadillos, only considering their presence/absence and distribution, but no histological analyses have been made. The goal of our contribution is to perform a histological study of the head vibrissae of Chaetophractus vellerosus, identify their morphological features, the tissues that form them, interpret their possible functions, and attempt to link the characteristics with ecological aspects of this species like its digging habits. Our results suggest that Chaetophractus vellerosus possesses two types of vibrissae: macro- and micro-vibrissae. Both types are similar in gross morphology, characterized mainly by an absence of annular sinus and ringwulst, but having a trabecular sinus that extends along the entire length of the follicle; these features might be linked to a reduction of its sensory capacity. Unlike other mammals, the macro-vibrissae are in the genal, anterobital and intermandibular regions, while micro-vibrissae are distributed in the superior labial and mental regions. In addition to size differences, the macro-vibrissae possess intrinsic muscles composed of smooth muscular fibers. The genal macro-vibrissae are very close to each other, with smooth muscle fibers connecting the capsules of adjacent ones (intrinsic muscles). Those from the superior labial and mental (micro-vibrissae), show bundles of striated muscle inserted on their capsules. These muscle fibers would be part of the facial musculature and could be considered as extrinsic muscles. The mobility of these two types of vibrissae must certainly be different, given that the respective muscles (intrinsic and extrinsic) have different origins and innervation. The presence of two types of vibrissae might indicate that these mechanoreceptors have differential perception capacities that would probably be complementary, thus providing more precise information about the environment. The presence of macro-vibrissae in the genal, anteorbital and intermandibular zone would be directly related to the life habits of Chaetophractus vellerosus.
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10
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Delaunay MG, Larsen C, Lloyd H, Sullivan M, Grant RA. Anatomy of avian rictal bristles in Caprimulgiformes reveals reduced tactile function in open-habitat, partially diurnal foraging species. J Anat 2020; 237:355-366. [PMID: 32202663 PMCID: PMC7369198 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian rictal bristles are present in many species of birds, especially in nocturnal species. Rictal bristles occur along the upper beak and are morphologically similar to mammalian whiskers. Mammalian whiskers are important tactile sensors, guiding locomotion, foraging and social interactions, and have a well‐characterised anatomy. However, it is not yet known whether avian rictal bristles have a sensory function, and their morphology, anatomy and function have also not been described in many species. Our study compares bristle morphology, follicle anatomy and their association with foraging traits, across 12 Caprimulgiform species. Rictal bristle morphology and follicle anatomy were diverse across the 12 species. Nine of the 12 species had mechanoreceptors around their bristle follicles; however, there was large variation in their musculature, mechanoreceptor numbers and bristle morphology. Overall, species with short, thin, branching bristles that lacked mechanoreceptors tended to forage pre‐dusk in open habitats, whereas species with mechanoreceptors around their bristle follicle tended to forage at night and in more closed habitats. We suggest that rictal bristles are likely to be tactile in many species and may aid in navigation, foraging and collision avoidance; however, identifying rictal bristle function is challenging and demands further investigation in many species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane G Delaunay
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Carl Larsen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Huw Lloyd
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew Sullivan
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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Smith TD, Laitman JT. Extreme Anatomy: Gear for the Pioneer. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 303:10-14. [PMID: 31714035 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This special issue of The Anatomical Record explores extravagant adaptions that vertebrates have evolved from their base groups to survive in the most challenging environments. The special issue stems from a symposium entitled "Extreme Anatomy: Living beyond the edge," which was held April 23, 2017, at the annual meeting of the American Association of Anatomists, (now called the American Association for Anatomy), in Chicago, IL. In part 1 of this issue, we encounter fossorial mammals and cave-dwelling fish and salamanders that have reduced visual systems accompanied by a variety of mechanosensory adaptations. In rivers and seas, teeth may not suffice in the pursuit of prey: aquatic vertebrates are adorned with armor or weaponry or elaborate keratinous sieves. As vertebrates exploit a great diversity of niches, selection has favored a dizzying array of specialized sensory and locomotor adaptions for deep diving, rapid flight, and navigation through dark and complex settings. Each special adaptation, some seemingly quite "extreme" deviations from an original Bauplan, becomes a tool for a pioneer-like diversification of vertebrates. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Smith
- School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey T Laitman
- Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
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Muchlinski MN, Wible JR, Corfe I, Sullivan M, Grant RA. Good Vibrations: The Evolution of Whisking in Small Mammals. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 303:89-99. [PMID: 30332721 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
While most mammals have whiskers, some tactile specialists-mainly small, nocturnal, and arboreal species-can actively move their whiskers in a symmetrical, cyclic movement called whisking. Whisking enables mammals to rapidly, tactually scan their environment to efficiently guide locomotion and foraging in complex habitats. The muscle architecture that enables whisking is preserved from marsupials to primates, prompting researchers to suggest that a common ancestor might have had moveable whiskers. Studying the evolution of whisker touch sensing is difficult, and we suggest that measuring an aspect of skull morphology that correlates with whisking would enable comparisons between extinct and extant mammals. We find that whisking mammals have larger infraorbital foramen (IOF) areas, which indicates larger infraorbital nerves and an increase in sensory acuity. While this relationship is quite variable and IOF area cannot be used to solely predict the presence of whisking, whisking mammals all have large IOF areas. Generally, this pattern holds true regardless of an animal's substrate preferences or activity patterns. Data from fossil mammals and ancestral character state reconstruction and tracing techniques for extant mammals suggest that whisking is not the ancestral state for therian mammals. Instead, whisking appears to have evolved independently as many as seven times across the clades Marsupialia, Afrosoricida, Eulipotyphla, and Rodentia, with Xenarthra the only placental superordinal clade lacking whisking species. However, the term whisking only captures symmetrical and rhythmic movements of the whiskers, rather than all possible whisker movements, and early mammals may still have had moveable whiskers. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena N Muchlinski
- Center for Anatomical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - John R Wible
- Section of Mammals, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ian Corfe
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matthew Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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Grant RA, Breakell V, Prescott TJ. Whisker touch sensing guides locomotion in small, quadrupedal mammals. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:20180592. [PMID: 29899069 PMCID: PMC6015872 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
All small mammals have prominent facial whiskers that they employ as tactile sensors to guide navigation and foraging in complex habitats. Nocturnal, arboreal mammals tend to have the longest and most densely packed whiskers, and semi-aquatic mammals have the most sensitive. Here we present evidence to indicate that many small mammals use their whiskers to tactually guide safe foot positioning. Specifically, in 11, small, non-flying mammal species, we demonstrate that forepaw placement always falls within the ground contact zone of the whisker field and that forepaw width is always smaller than whisker span. We also demonstrate commonalities of whisker scanning movements (whisking) and elements of active control, associated with increasing contact with objects of interest, across multiple small mammal species that have previously only been shown in common laboratory animals. Overall, we propose that guiding locomotion, alongside environment exploration, is a common function of whisker touch sensing in small, quadrupedal mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A Grant
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Tony J Prescott
- Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Belli HM, Bresee CS, Graff MM, Hartmann MJZ. Quantifying the three-dimensional facial morphology of the laboratory rat with a focus on the vibrissae. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194981. [PMID: 29621356 PMCID: PMC5886528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The morphology of an animal's face will have large effects on the sensory information it can acquire. Here we quantify the arrangement of cranial sensory structures of the rat, with special emphasis on the mystacial vibrissae (whiskers). Nearly all mammals have vibrissae, which are generally arranged in rows and columns across the face. The vibrissae serve a wide variety of important behavioral functions, including navigation, climbing, wake following, anemotaxis, and social interactions. To date, however, there are few studies that compare the morphology of vibrissal arrays across species, or that describe the arrangement of the vibrissae relative to other facial sensory structures. The few studies that do exist have exploited the whiskers' grid-like arrangement to quantify array morphology in terms of row and column identity. However, relying on whisker identity poses a challenge for comparative research because different species have different numbers and arrangements of whiskers. The present work introduces an approach to quantify vibrissal array morphology regardless of the number of rows and columns, and to quantify the array's location relative to other sensory structures. We use the three-dimensional locations of the whisker basepoints as fundamental parameters to generate equations describing the length, curvature, and orientation of each whisker. Results show that in the rat, whisker length varies exponentially across the array, and that a hard limit on intrinsic curvature constrains the whisker height-to-length ratio. Whiskers are oriented to "fan out" approximately equally in dorsal-ventral and rostral-caudal directions. Quantifying positions of the other sensory structures relative to the whisker basepoints shows remarkable alignment to the somatosensory cortical homunculus, an alignment that would not occur for other choices of coordinate systems (e.g., centered on the midpoint of the eyes). We anticipate that the quantification of facial sensory structures, including the vibrissae, will ultimately enable cross-species comparisons of multi-modal sensing volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley M. Belli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Chris S. Bresee
- Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Matthew M. Graff
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mitra J. Z. Hartmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
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Caeiro C, Burrows A, Waller B. Development and application of CatFACS: Are human cat adopters influenced by cat facial expressions? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Burrows AM, Rogers-Vizena CR, Li L, Mendelson B. The Mobility of the Human Face: More than Just the Musculature. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 299:1779-1788. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Burrows
- Department of Physical Therapy; Duquesne University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
- Department of Anthropology; University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
| | | | - Ly Li
- Department of Physical Therapy; Duquesne University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
| | - Bryan Mendelson
- Centre for Facial Plastic Surgery; Toorak Victoria Australia
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Grant RA, Delaunay MG, Haidarliu S. Mystacial Whisker Layout and Musculature in the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus): A Social, Diurnal Mammal. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2016; 300:527-536. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A. Grant
- Conservation, Evolution and Behaviour Research Group, Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester UK
| | - Mariane G. Delaunay
- Conservation, Evolution and Behaviour Research Group, Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester UK
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Mattson EE, Marshall CD. Follicle Microstructure and Innervation Vary between Pinniped Micro- and Macrovibrissae. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2016; 88:43-58. [DOI: 10.1159/000447551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Histological data from terrestrial, semiaquatic, and fully aquatic mammal vibrissa (whisker) studies indicate that follicle microstructure and innervation vary across the mystacial vibrissal array (i.e. medial microvibrissae to lateral macrovibrissae). However, comparative data are lacking, and current histological studies on pinniped vibrissae only focus on the largest ventrolateral vibrissae. Consequently, we investigated the microstructure, medial-to-lateral innervation, and morphometric trends in harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) vibrissal follicle-sinus complexes (F-SCs). The F-SCs were sectioned either longitudinally or in cross-section and stained with a modified Masson's trichrome stain (microstructure) or Bodian's silver stain (innervation). All F-SCs exhibited a tripartite blood organization system. The dermal capsule thickness, the distribution of major branches of the deep vibrissal nerve, and the hair shaft design were more symmetrical in medial F-SCs, but these features became more asymmetrical as the F-SCs became more lateral. Overall, the mean axon count was 1,221 ± 422.3 axons/F-SC and mean axon counts by column ranged from 550 ± 97.4 axons/F-SC (medially, column 11) to 1,632 ± 173.2 axons/F-SC (laterally, column 2). These values indicate a total of 117,216 axons innervating the entire mystacial vibrissal array. The mean axon count of lateral F-SCs was 1,533 ± 192.9 axons/ F-SC, which is similar to values reported in the literature for other pinniped F-SCs. Our data suggest that conventional studies that only examine the largest ventrolateral vibrissae may overestimate the total innervation by ∼20%. However, our study also accounts for variation in quantification methods and shows that conventional analyses likely only overestimate innervation by ∼10%. The relationship between axon count and cross-sectional F-SC surface area was nonlinear, and axon densities were consistent across the snout. Our data indicate that harp seals exhibit microstructural and innervational differences between their microvibrissae (columns 8-11) and macrovibrissae (columns 1-7). We hypothesize that this feature is conserved among pinnipeds and may result in functional compartmentalization within their mystacial vibrissal arrays.
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Spriggs AN, Muchlinski MN, Gordon AD. Does the primate pattern hold up? Testing the functional significance of infraorbital foramen size variation among marsupials. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2016; 160:30-40. [PMID: 26805953 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The relative size of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) has been used to infer the ecology of extinct primates for several decades. Primates have relatively smaller IOFs than most other mammals, which may result from the fact that they pre-process and manipulate food with their hands rather than their muzzles. In primates, relative IOF area co-varies with diet, where insectivores and folivores have relatively smaller IOFs than frugivores. We wanted to determine whether the observed patterns associated with IOF variation hold across other orders. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined how relative IOF area differs among marsupials occupying different ecological niches. Marsupials were chosen because they converge with primates in both ecology and morphology, but unlike primates, some marsupials approach and pre-process foods only with their muzzles. We measured IOF area and cranial lengths from 72 marsupial species, and behavioral feeding data were obtained from a subset of this sample (N = 20). RESULTS Relative IOF area did not vary significantly between substrate preferences. However, relative IOF area differed significantly by diet category (P < 0.001). Species that specialize in feeding on non-grassy leaves have significantly smaller relative IOF areas than species which primarily feed on grasses, insects, vertebrates, or some combination thereof. Behavioral analyses support that folivorous marsupials approach and remove food with the hands more often than marsupials from other dietary groups. DISCUSSION Results suggest that relatively small IOF area may reflect increased reliance on the hands while feeding, and that relative IOF size can be used as an indicator of feeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda N Spriggs
- Department of Anthropology, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY
| | | | - Adam D Gordon
- Department of Anthropology, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY
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20
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Subcortical barrelette-like and barreloid-like structures in the prosimian galago (Otolemur garnetti). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:7079-84. [PMID: 26038561 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1506646112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Galagos are prosimian primates that resemble ancestral primates more than most other extant primates. As in many other mammals, the facial vibrissae of galagos are distributed across the upper and lower jaws and above the eye. In rats and mice, the mystacial macrovibrissae are represented throughout the ascending trigeminal pathways as arrays of cytoarchitecturally distinct modules, with each module having a nearly one-to-one relationship with a specific facial whisker. The macrovibrissal representations are termed barrelettes in the trigeminal somatosensory brainstem, barreloids in the ventroposterior medial subnucleus of the thalamus, and barrels in primary somatosensory cortex. Despite the presence of facial whiskers in all nonhuman primates, barrel-like structures have not been reported in primates. By staining for cytochrome oxidase, Nissl, and vesicular glutamate transporter proteins, we show a distinct array of barrelette-like and barreloid-like modules in the principal sensory nucleus, the spinal trigeminal nucleus, and the ventroposterior medial subnucleus of the galago, Otolemur garnetti. Labeled terminals of primary sensory neurons in the brainstem and cell bodies of thalamocortically projecting neurons demonstrate that barrelette-like and barreloid-like modules are located in areas of these somatosensory nuclei that are topographically consistent with their role in facial touch. Serendipitously, the plane of section that best displays the barreloid-like modules reveals a remarkably distinct homunculus-like patterning which, we believe, is one of the clearest somatotopic maps of an entire body surface yet found.
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Burrows AM, Parr LA, Durham EL, Matthews LC, Smith TD. Human faces are slower than chimpanzee faces. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110523. [PMID: 25338058 PMCID: PMC4206419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While humans (like other primates) communicate with facial expressions, the evolution of speech added a new function to the facial muscles (facial expression muscles). The evolution of speech required the development of a coordinated action between visual (movement of the lips) and auditory signals in a rhythmic fashion to produce "visemes" (visual movements of the lips that correspond to specific sounds). Visemes depend upon facial muscles to regulate shape of the lips, which themselves act as speech articulators. This movement necessitates a more controlled, sustained muscle contraction than that produced during spontaneous facial expressions which occur rapidly and last only a short period of time. Recently, it was found that human tongue musculature contains a higher proportion of slow-twitch myosin fibers than in rhesus macaques, which is related to the slower, more controlled movements of the human tongue in the production of speech. Are there similar unique, evolutionary physiologic biases found in human facial musculature related to the evolution of speech? METHODOLOGY/PRINICIPAL FINDINGS Using myosin immunohistochemistry, we tested the hypothesis that human facial musculature has a higher percentage of slow-twitch myosin fibers relative to chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We sampled the orbicularis oris and zygomaticus major muscles from three cadavers of each species and compared proportions of fiber-types. Results confirmed our hypothesis: humans had the highest proportion of slow-twitch myosin fibers while chimpanzees had the highest proportion of fast-twitch fibers. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings demonstrate that the human face is slower than that of rhesus macaques and our closest living relative, the chimpanzee. They also support the assertion that human facial musculature and speech co-evolved. Further, these results suggest a unique set of evolutionary selective pressures on human facial musculature to slow down while the function of this muscle group diverged from that of other primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Burrows
- Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lisa A. Parr
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Center for Translational Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Emily L. Durham
- Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lea C. Matthews
- Department of Health Management Systems, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Timothy D. Smith
- Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Pattinson DJ, Thompson RS, Piotrowski AK, Asher RJ. Phylogeny, Paleontology, and Primates: Do Incomplete Fossils Bias the Tree of Life? Syst Biol 2014; 64:169-86. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syu077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Pattinson
- Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ; 2Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ; 3Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD; and 4Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ; 2Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ; 3Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD; and 4Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
- Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ; 2Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ; 3Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD; and 4Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Richard S. Thompson
- Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ; 2Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ; 3Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD; and 4Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Aleks K. Piotrowski
- Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ; 2Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ; 3Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD; and 4Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Robert J. Asher
- Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ; 2Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ; 3Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD; and 4Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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Burrows AM, Durham EL, Matthews LC, Smith TD, Parr LA. Of mice, monkeys, and men: physiological and morphological evidence for evolutionary divergence of function in mimetic musculature. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2014; 297:1250-61. [PMID: 24706483 PMCID: PMC4051843 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Facial expression is a universal means of visual communication in humans and many other primates. Humans have the most complex facial display repertoire among primates; however, gross morphological studies have not found greater complexity in human mimetic musculature. This study examines the microanatomical aspects of mimetic musculature to test the hypotheses related to human mimetic musculature physiology, function, and evolutionary morphology. Samples from the orbicularis oris muscle (OOM) and the zygomaticus major (ZM) muscle in laboratory mice (N = 3), rhesus macaques (N = 3), and humans (N = 3) were collected. Fiber type proportions (slow-twitch and fast-twitch), fiber cross-sectional area, diameter, and length were calculated, and means were statistically compared among groups. Results showed that macaques had the greatest percentage of fast fibers in both muscles (followed by humans) and that humans had the greatest percentage of slow fibers in both muscles. Macaques and humans typically did not differ from one another in morphometrics except for fiber length where humans had longer fibers. Although sample sizes are low, results from this study may indicate that the rhesus macaque OOM and ZM muscle are specialized primarily to assist with maintenance of the rigid dominance hierarchy via rapid facial displays of submission and aggression, whereas human musculature may have evolved not only under pressure to work in facial expressions but also in development of speech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Burrows
- Dept. of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
- Dept. of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Emily L. Durham
- Dept. of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Lea C. Matthews
- Dept. of Health Management Systems, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Timothy D. Smith
- Dept. of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA
| | - Lisa A. Parr
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Center for Translational Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Konigsberg LW, Frankenberg SR. Bayes in biological anthropology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2013; 152 Suppl 57:153-84. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lyle W. Konigsberg
- Department of Anthropology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana IL 61801
| | - Susan R. Frankenberg
- Department of Anthropology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana IL 61801
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