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Manzini I, Schild D, Di Natale C. Principles of odor coding in vertebrates and artificial chemosensory systems. Physiol Rev 2021; 102:61-154. [PMID: 34254835 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00036.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological olfactory system is the sensory system responsible for the detection of the chemical composition of the environment. Several attempts to mimic biological olfactory systems have led to various artificial olfactory systems using different technical approaches. Here we provide a parallel description of biological olfactory systems and their technical counterparts. We start with a presentation of the input to the systems, the stimuli, and treat the interface between the external world and the environment where receptor neurons or artificial chemosensors reside. We then delineate the functions of receptor neurons and chemosensors as well as their overall I-O relationships. Up to this point, our account of the systems goes along similar lines. The next processing steps differ considerably: while in biology the processing step following the receptor neurons is the "integration" and "processing" of receptor neuron outputs in the olfactory bulb, this step has various realizations in electronic noses. For a long period of time, the signal processing stages beyond the olfactory bulb, i.e., the higher olfactory centers were little studied. Only recently there has been a marked growth of studies tackling the information processing in these centers. In electronic noses, a third stage of processing has virtually never been considered. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of both fields and, for the first time, attempt to tie them together. We hope it will be a breeding ground for better information, communication, and data exchange between very related but so far little connected fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Manzini
- Animal Physiology and Molecular Biomedicine, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Detlev Schild
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Cellular Biophysics, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Corrado Di Natale
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Acosta Hospitaleche C, Paulina-Carabajal A, Yury-Yáñez R. The skull of the Miocene Spheniscus urbinai (Aves, Sphenisciformes): osteology, brain morphology, and the cranial pneumatic systems. J Anat 2021; 239:151-166. [PMID: 33576081 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spheniscus urbinai represents one of four extinct Spheniscus species from the Cenozoic of southern South America, known from several poorly described diversely complete skulls and postcranial elements. Here, we present a review of the cranial osteology of all known specimens (collected in Argentina, Chile, and Peru), including a paleoneurological analysis using CT scans, and an exploration of its cranial pneumaticity compared to other extinct and living seabirds. Our results show that among Spheniscus species, S. urbinai exhibits slightly greater cranial pneumaticity than the living species. Additionally, we confirm previous findings which indicate that the marked reduction of cranial pneumaticity-which is characteristic of living penguins-occurred early during the Eocene (as observed in the Antarctic penguin MLP 12-I-20-1, but not in the coeval Anthropornis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche
- CONICET, División Paleontología de Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Ariana Paulina-Carabajal
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Roberto Yury-Yáñez
- Laboratorio de Zoología de Vertebrados, Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Abstract
Abstract
Raptors from the orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes have been considered to rely principally on vision. Historically, this assumption has led scientists to discount any possible sense of smell in these birds, until work on cathartid vultures indicated that these species at least rely on olfaction to find carrion. In this review I provide evidence that raptors in general have functional olfactory systems that they may use in a range of different contexts. Anatomical studies show that raptors have well-developed olfactory bulbs that are within the range of other bird species. Furthermore, all raptors studied have multiple functional olfactory genes, with, for instance, 283 olfactory genes in the Oriental honey buzzard, Pernis orientalis, of which 81.5% are functional. It has also been shown that some raptors species may functionally use olfactory cues to forage and, potentially, for communication. While further research is required, the available evidence suggests that olfaction may be a more important sensory modality in these birds than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Potier
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Voeten DFAE, Reich T, Araújo R, Scheyer TM. Synchrotron microtomography of a Nothosaurus marchicus skull informs on nothosaurian physiology and neurosensory adaptations in early Sauropterygia. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0188509. [PMID: 29298295 PMCID: PMC5751976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nothosaurs form a subclade of the secondarily marine Sauropterygia that was well represented in late Early to early Late Triassic marine ecosystems. Here we present and discuss the internal skull anatomy of the small piscivorous nothosaur Nothosaurus marchicus from coastal to shallow marine Lower Muschelkalk deposits (Anisian) of Winterswijk, The Netherlands, which represents the oldest sauropterygian endocast visualized to date. The cranial endocast is only partially encapsulated by ossified braincase elements. Cranial flattening and lateral constriction by hypertrophied temporal musculature grant the brain a straight, tubular geometry that lacks particularly well-developed cerebral lobes but does potentially involve distinguishable optic lobes, suggesting vision may have represented an important sense during life. Despite large orbit size, the circuitous muscular pathway linking the basisphenoidal and orbital regions indicates poor oculomotor performance. This suggests a rather fixed ocular orientation, although eye placement and neck manoeuvrability could have enabled binocular if not stereoscopic vision. The proportionally large dorsal projection of the braincase endocast towards the well-developed pineal foramen advocates substantial dependence on the corresponding pineal system in vivo. Structures corroborating keen olfactory or acoustic senses were not identified. The likely atrophied vomeronasal organ argues against the presence of a forked tongue in Nothosaurus, and the relative positioning of external and internal nares contrasts respiratory configurations proposed for pistosauroid sauropterygians. The antorbital domain furthermore accommodates a putative rostral sensory plexus and pronounced lateral nasal glands that were likely exapted as salt glands. Previously proposed nothosaurian 'foramina eustachii' arose from architectural constraints on braincase development rather than representing functional foramina. Several modifications to brain shape and accessory organs were achieved through heterochronic development of the cranium, particularly the braincase. In summary, the cranium of Nothosaurus marchicus reflects important physiological and neurosensory adaptations that enabled the group's explosive invasion of shallow marine habitats in the late Early Triassic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis F. A. E. Voeten
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Tobias Reich
- University of Zurich, Palaeontological Institute and Museum, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ricardo Araújo
- Institute for Plasma Research and Nuclear Fusion, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Evolutionary Sciences, University of Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Torsten M. Scheyer
- University of Zurich, Palaeontological Institute and Museum, Zurich, Switzerland
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Corfield JR, Eisthen HL, Iwaniuk AN, Parsons S. Anatomical specializations for enhanced olfactory sensitivity in kiwi, Apteryx mantelli. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2014; 84:214-26. [PMID: 25376305 DOI: 10.1159/000365564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ability to function in a nocturnal and ground-dwelling niche requires a unique set of sensory specializations. The New Zealand kiwi has shifted away from vision, instead relying on auditory and tactile stimuli to function in its environment and locate prey. Behavioral evidence suggests that kiwi also rely on their sense of smell, using olfactory cues in foraging and possibly also in communication and social interactions. Anatomical studies appear to support these observations: the olfactory bulbs and tubercles have been suggested to be large in the kiwi relative to other birds, although the extent of this enlargement is poorly understood. In this study, we examine the size of the olfactory bulbs in kiwi and compare them with 55 other bird species, including emus, ostriches, rheas, tinamous, and 2 extinct species of moa (Dinornithiformes). We also examine the cytoarchitecture of the olfactory bulbs and olfactory epithelium to determine if any neural specializations beyond size are present that would increase olfactory acuity. Kiwi were a clear outlier in our analysis, with olfactory bulbs that are proportionately larger than those of any other bird in this study. Emus, close relatives of the kiwi, also had a relative enlargement of the olfactory bulbs, possibly supporting a phylogenetic link to well-developed olfaction. The olfactory bulbs in kiwi are almost in direct contact with the olfactory epithelium, which is indeed well developed and complex, with olfactory receptor cells occupying a large percentage of the epithelium. The anatomy of the kiwi olfactory system supports an enhancement for olfactory sensitivities, which is undoubtedly associated with their unique nocturnal niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R Corfield
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Douglas HD, Kitaysky AS, Kitaiskaia EV. Seasonal covariation in progesterone and odorant emissions among breeding crested auklets (Aethia cristatella). Horm Behav 2008; 54:325-9. [PMID: 18445496 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2007] [Revised: 02/04/2008] [Accepted: 03/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Crested auklets emit a citrus-like odorant that is seasonally modulated, suggesting that it is a secondary sexual trait. We hypothesized that expression of the chemical odorant is facilitated by steroid hormones, similar other secondary sexual traits in birds. Therefore we examined variation in concentrations of hormones in blood plasma and odor production during incubation and early chick rearing. A novel method was used to obtain and measure chemical emissions of crested auklets. Blood plasma samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Progesterone was detected in all birds, and it varied during the breeding season. Octanal emissions covaried with progesterone levels in males but not in females. No seasonal patterns were detected in testosterone, estrogen or DHT, and these hormones were not detected in all breeding adults. Covariance of progesterone and octanal emissions in males suggests there could be at least an indirect relationship between odor emissions and steroid hormones in this species. Thus expression of the citrus-like odorant of crested auklets, like other secondary sexual traits in birds, could be regulated by steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector D Douglas
- Biology Department, Kuskokwim Campus, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bethel, Alaska 99559, USA.
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DeBose JL, Nevitt GA. The use of Odors at Different Spatial Scales: Comparing Birds with Fish. J Chem Ecol 2008; 34:867-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s10886-008-9493-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2008] [Revised: 04/18/2008] [Accepted: 04/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Burne TH, Rogers LJ. Changes in olfactory responsiveness by the domestic chick after early exposure to odorants. Anim Behav 1999; 58:329-336. [PMID: 10458884 DOI: 10.1006/anbe.1999.1151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that odorants are important in the formation of attachments by the domestic chick, Gallus gallus domesticus. We investigated whether early exposure to nonaversive odorants altered the responses of 1-day-old chicks to a number of odorants from naturalistic sources, including feathers and faeces of adult chickens, wood litter and food (chick starter mash). The odorants were delivered by dynamic olfactometry, in which air containing different concentrations of each odorant was presented separately to individually housed chicks together with a small, coloured bead at which they could peck. When tested with a faecal odorant, but not the other odorants, control chicks, incubated and reared under standard conditions, shook their heads more but their pecking responses did not vary for any of the odorants tested. Chicks that had been exposed to a moist-food odorant from embryonic day 20 to 18 h posthatching and tested with odorants from either moist or dry food pecked less than controls but shook their heads the same amount. Early exposure to the moist-food odorant did not affect responses to the odorants of feathers or faeces. Chicks apparently learn about their olfactory environment during the later part of incubation and in the early posthatching period and the memory formed alters behaviour on day 1 posthatching. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- TH Burne
- School of Biological Sciences, University of New England
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