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Li C, Deng T, Wang Y, Sun F, Wolff B, Jiangzuo Q, Ma J, Xing L, Fu J, Zhang J, Wang S. The trunk replaces the longer mandible as the main feeding organ in elephant evolution. eLife 2024; 12:RP90908. [PMID: 38900028 PMCID: PMC11189625 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90908] [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] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The long-trunked elephantids underwent a significant evolutionary stage characterized by an exceptionally elongated mandible. The initial elongation and subsequent regression of the long mandible, along with its co-evolution with the trunk, present an intriguing issue that remains incompletely understood. Through comparative functional and eco-morphological investigations, as well as feeding preference analysis, we reconstructed the feeding behavior of major groups of longirostrine elephantiforms. In the Platybelodon clade, the rapid evolutionary changes observed in the narial region, strongly correlated with mandible and tusk characteristics, suggest a crucial evolutionary transition where feeding function shifted from the mandible to the trunk, allowing proboscideans to expand their niches to more open regions. This functional shift further resulted in elephantids relying solely on their trunks for feeding. Our research provides insights into how unique environmental pressures shape the extreme evolution of organs, particularly in large mammals that developed various peculiar adaptations during the late Cenozoic global cooling trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Li
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Tao Deng
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State UniversityTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Fajun Sun
- Environmental Science & Technology, University of MarylandCollege ParkUnited States
| | - Burt Wolff
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State UniversityTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Qigao Jiangzuo
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jiao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Luda Xing
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jiao Fu
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ji Zhang
- School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Digital ConstructionWuhanChina
| | - Shiqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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2
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Kaczmarski B, Leanza S, Zhao R, Kuhl E, Moulton DE, Goriely A. Minimal Design of the Elephant Trunk as an Active Filament. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2024; 132:248402. [PMID: 38949331 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.248402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
One of the key problems in active materials is the control of shape through actuation. A fascinating example of such control is the elephant trunk, a long, muscular, and extremely dexterous organ with multiple vital functions. The elephant trunk is an object of fascination for biologists, physicists, and children alike. Its versatility relies on the intricate interplay of multiple unique physical mechanisms and biological design principles. Here, we explore these principles using the theory of active filaments and build, theoretically, computationally, and experimentally, a minimal model that explains and accomplishes some of the spectacular features of the elephant trunk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Kaczmarski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Sophie Leanza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Renee Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Ellen Kuhl
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Derek E Moulton
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alain Goriely
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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3
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Costes P, Soppelsa J, Houssin C, Boulinguez‐Ambroise G, Pacou C, Gouat P, Cornette R, Pouydebat E. Effect of the habitat and tusks on trunk grasping techniques in African savannah elephants. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11317. [PMID: 38646004 PMCID: PMC11027014 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Among tetrapods, grasping is an essential function involved in many vital behaviours. The selective pressures that led to this function were widely investigated in species with prehensile hands and feet. Previous studies namely highlighted a strong effect of item properties but also of the species habitat on manual grasping behaviour. African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) are known to display various prehensile abilities and use their trunk in a large diversity of habitats. Composed of muscles and without a rigid structure, the trunk is a muscular hydrostat with great freedom of movement. This multitasking organ is particularly recruited for grasping food items while foraging. Yet, the diet of African savannah elephants varies widely between groups living in different habitats. Moreover, they have tusks alongside the trunk which can assist in grasping behaviours, and their tusk morphologies are known to vary considerably between groups. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the food grasping techniques used by the trunk of two elephant groups that live in different habitats: an arid study site in Etosha National Park in Namibia, and an area with consistent water presence in Kruger National Park in South Africa. We characterised the tusks profiles and compared the grasping techniques and their frequencies of use for different foods. Our results show differences in food-grasping techniques between the two groups. These differences are related to the food item property and tusk profile discrepancies highlighted between the two groups. We suggest that habitat heterogeneity, particularly aridity gaps, may induce these differences. This may reveal an optimisation of grasping types depending on habitat, food size and accessibility, as well as tusk profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Costes
- Adaptive Mechanisms and Evolution (MECADEV)UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHNParisFrance
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), UMR 7205, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
| | - Julie Soppelsa
- Adaptive Mechanisms and Evolution (MECADEV)UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHNParisFrance
| | - Céline Houssin
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), UMR 7205, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
| | - Grégoire Boulinguez‐Ambroise
- Adaptive Mechanisms and Evolution (MECADEV)UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHNParisFrance
- Department of Evolutionary AnthropologyDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Camille Pacou
- Adaptive Mechanisms and Evolution (MECADEV)UMR 7179 CNRS/MNHNParisFrance
| | - Patrick Gouat
- Laboratoire d'Éthologie Expérimentale et Comparée E.R. 4443Université Sorbonne Paris NordVilletaneuseFrance
| | - Raphaël Cornette
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), UMR 7205, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, SU, EPHE, UAParisFrance
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Olson W, Zhang L, O'Connor DH, Kleinfeld D. Elephant trunks: Strength and dexterity from mini-fascicles. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1203-R1205. [PMID: 37989101 PMCID: PMC11039408 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Muscular hydrostats, such as the elephant trunk, can perform precise motor actions. A new study has revealed that the elephant trunk contains a dense network of tiny muscle fascicles, suggesting that muscle miniaturization may be a key toward understanding how soft organs achieve both strength and dexterity.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Olson
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Linghua Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Daniel H O'Connor
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - David Kleinfeld
- Department of Physics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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5
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Longren LL, Eigen L, Shubitidze A, Lieschnegg O, Baum D, Nyakatura JA, Hildebrandt T, Brecht M. Dense reconstruction of elephant trunk musculature. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4713-4720.e3. [PMID: 37757829 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The elephant trunk operates as a muscular hydrostat1,2 and is actuated by the most complex musculature known in animals.3,4 Because the number of trunk muscles is unclear,5 we performed dense reconstructions of trunk muscle fascicles, elementary muscle units, from microCT scans of an Asian baby elephant trunk. Muscle architecture changes markedly across the trunk. Trunk tip and finger consist of about 8,000 extraordinarily filigree fascicles. The dexterous finger consists exclusively of microscopic radial fascicles pointing to a role of muscle miniaturization in elephant dexterity. Radial fascicles also predominate (at 82% volume) the remainder of the trunk tip, and we wonder if radial muscle fascicles are of particular significance for fine motor control of the dexterous trunk tip. By volume, trunk-shaft muscles6 comprise one-third of the numerous, small radial muscle fascicles; two-thirds of the three subtypes of large longitudinal fascicles (dorsal longitudinals, ventral outer obliques, and ventral inner obliques);7,8,9 and a small fraction of transversal fascicles. Shaft musculature is laterally, but not radially, symmetric. A predominance of dorsal over ventral radial muscles and of ventral over dorsal longitudinal muscles may result in a larger ability of the shaft to extend dorsally than ventrally10 and to bend inward rather than outward. There are around 90,000 trunk muscle fascicles. While primate hand control is based on fine control of contraction by the convergence of many motor neurons on a small set of relatively large muscles, evolution of elephant grasping has led to thousands of microscopic fascicles, which probably outnumber facial motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke L Longren
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Eigen
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ani Shubitidze
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Lieschnegg
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Baum
- Zuse-Institut Berlin, Takustraße 7, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - John A Nyakatura
- Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Hildebrandt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
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6
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Deiringer N, Schneeweiß U, Kaufmann LV, Eigen L, Speissegger C, Gerhardt B, Holtze S, Fritsch G, Göritz F, Becker R, Ochs A, Hildebrandt T, Brecht M. The functional anatomy of elephant trunk whiskers. Commun Biol 2023; 6:591. [PMID: 37291455 PMCID: PMC10250425 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04945-5] [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: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavior and innervation suggest a high tactile sensitivity of elephant trunks. To clarify the tactile trunk periphery we studied whiskers with the following findings. Whisker density is high at the trunk tip and African savanna elephants have more trunk tip whiskers than Asian elephants. Adult elephants show striking lateralized whisker abrasion caused by lateralized trunk behavior. Elephant whiskers are thick and show little tapering. Whisker follicles are large, lack a ring sinus and their organization varies across the trunk. Follicles are innervated by ~90 axons from multiple nerves. Because elephants don't whisk, trunk movements determine whisker contacts. Whisker-arrays on the ventral trunk-ridge contact objects balanced on the ventral trunk. Trunk whiskers differ from the mobile, thin and tapered facial whiskers that sample peri-rostrum space symmetrically in many mammals. We suggest their distinctive features-being thick, non-tapered, lateralized and arranged in specific high-density arrays-evolved along with the manipulative capacities of the trunk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Deiringer
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Undine Schneeweiß
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena V Kaufmann
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Eigen
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Celina Speissegger
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ben Gerhardt
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Guido Fritsch
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Göritz
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rolf Becker
- Berlin Zoological Garden, Hardenbergplatz 9, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Ochs
- Berlin Zoological Garden, Hardenbergplatz 9, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Hildebrandt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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7
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Kaufmann LV, Becker R, Ochs A, Brecht M. Elephant banana peeling. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R257-R258. [PMID: 37040704 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena V Kaufmann
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rolf Becker
- Berlin Zoological Garden, Hardenbergplatz 9, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Ochs
- Berlin Zoological Garden, Hardenbergplatz 9, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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8
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Kaufmann LV, Schneeweiß U, Maier E, Hildebrandt T, Brecht M. Elephant facial motor control. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq2789. [PMID: 36288305 PMCID: PMC9604532 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq2789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We studied facial motor control in elephants, animals with muscular dexterous trunks. Facial nucleus neurons (~54,000 in Asian elephants, ~63,000 in African elephants) outnumbered those of other land-living mammals. The large-eared African elephants had more medial facial subnucleus neurons than Asian elephants, reflecting a numerically more extensive ear-motor control. Elephant dorsal and lateral facial subnuclei were unusual in elongation, neuron numerosity, and a proximal-to-distal neuron size increase. We suggest that this subnucleus organization is related to trunk representation, with the huge distal neurons innervating the trunk tip with long axons. African elephants pinch objects with two trunk tip fingers, whereas Asian elephants grasp/wrap objects with larger parts of their trunk. Finger "motor foveae" and a positional bias of neurons toward the trunk tip representation in African elephant facial nuclei reflect their motor strategy. Thus, elephant brains reveal neural adaptations to facial morphology, body size, and dexterity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena V. Kaufmann
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Undine Schneeweiß
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eduard Maier
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Hildebrandt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, D-10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Brecht
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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9
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Beeck VC, Heilmann G, Kerscher M, Stoeger AS. Sound Visualization Demonstrates Velopharyngeal Coupling and Complex Spectral Variability in Asian Elephants. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2119. [PMID: 36009709 PMCID: PMC9404934 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Sound production mechanisms set the parameter space available for transmitting biologically relevant information in vocal signals. Low-frequency rumbles play a crucial role in coordinating social interactions in elephants' complex fission-fusion societies. By emitting rumbles through either the oral or the three-times longer nasal vocal tract, African elephants alter their spectral shape significantly. In this study, we used an acoustic camera to visualize the sound emission of rumbles in Asian elephants, which have received far less research attention than African elephants. We recorded nine adult captive females and analyzed the spectral parameters of 203 calls, including vocal tract resonances (formants). We found that the majority of rumbles (64%) were nasally emitted, 21% orally, and 13% simultaneously through the mouth and trunk, demonstrating velopharyngeal coupling. Some of the rumbles were combined with orally emitted roars. The nasal rumbles concentrated most spectral energy in lower frequencies exhibiting two formants, whereas the oral and mixed rumbles contained higher formants, higher spectral energy concentrations and were louder. The roars were the loudest, highest and broadest in frequency. This study is the first to demonstrate velopharyngeal coupling in a non-human animal. Our findings provide a foundation for future research into the adaptive functions of the elephant acoustic variability for information coding, localizability or sound transmission, as well as vocal flexibility across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika C. Beeck
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Angela S. Stoeger
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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10
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Sarko DK, Reep RL. Parcellation in the dorsal column nuclei of Florida manatees (
Trichechus manatus latirostris
) and rock hyraxes (
Procavia capensis
) indicates the presence of body barrelettes. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2113-2131. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.25323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diana K. Sarko
- Department of Anatomy Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Carbondale Illinois USA
| | - Roger L. Reep
- Department of Physiological Sciences University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
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11
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Abstract
Neuroscience research is understandably focused on highly tractable and lab-friendly mice and rats, but that emphasis obfuscates the biological beauty and intellectual richness that lies in animal diversity. The benefits of venturing further into that phylogenetic diversity are nicely illustrated by a new study on the elephant brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Herculano-Houzel
- Department of Psychology, Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, 111 21(st) Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
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12
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Oh elephant, what big nerves you have! Nature 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-00114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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