Fossil basicranium clarifies the origin of the avian central nervous system and inner ear

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 289(1983)

Published: Sept. 28, 2022

Among terrestrial vertebrates, only crown birds (Neornithes) rival mammals in terms of relative brain size and behavioural complexity. Relatedly, the anatomy avian central nervous system associated sensory structures, such as vestibular inner ear, are highly modified with respect to those other extant reptile lineages. However, a dearth three-dimensional Mesozoic fossils has limited our knowledge origins distinctive endocranial structures birds. Traits an expanded, flexed brain, ventral connection between spinal column, have been regarded exclusive Neornithes. Here, we demonstrate all these ‘advanced’ traits undistorted braincase from Upper Cretaceous enantiornithine bonebed southeastern Brazil. Our discovery suggests that bird-like may originated prior split Enantiornithes more crownward portion phylogeny over 140 Ma, while coexisting remarkably plesiomorphic cranial base posterior palate region. Altogether, results support interpretation morphologies their relatives affected by complex trade-offs spatial constraints during development.

Language: Английский

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Gaze following: A socio-cognitive skill rooted in deep time

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Dec. 2, 2022

Social gaze has received much attention in social cognition research both human and non-human animals. Gaze following appears to be a central skill for acquiring information, such as the location of food predators, but can also draw important interactions, which turn promotes evolution more complex socio-cognitive processes theory mind learning. In past decades, large number studies been conducted this field introducing differing methodologies. Thereby, various factors influencing results experiments have identified. This review provides an overview advances study following, highlights some limitations within area. The majority on animals focused primates canids, limits evolutionary interpretations only few closely related lineages. incorporates new insights gained from previously understudied taxa, fishes, reptiles, birds, it will provide brief outline mammal studies. We propose that foundations emerged early history. Basic, reflexive co-orienting responses might already evolved would explain ubiquity seen amniotes. More skills, geometrical ability form predictions based gaze, seem separately at least two times appear correlated with growing complexity brain anatomy increased numbers neurons. However, different taxa key phylogenetic positions are needed better understand history fundamental skill.

Language: Английский

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Effects of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination on the Female Reproductive System: A Narrative Review

Balkan Medical Journal, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 40(3), P. 153 - 164

Published: April 28, 2023

Several studies and research papers have been published to elucidate understand the mechanism of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic its long-term effects on human body. COVID-19 affects a number organs, including female reproductive system. However, less attention has given system due their low morbidity. The results investigating relationship between infection ovarian function in women age shown harmless involvement infection. reported oocyte quality, function, dysfunctions uterine endometrium menstrual cycle. findings these indicate that negatively follicular microenvironment dysregulate function. Although health studied humans animals, very few examined how objective this review is summarize current literature categorize system, ovaries, uterus, hormonal profiles. maturation, oxidative stress, which causes chromosomal instability apoptosis vitro fertilization cycle, high-quality embryos, premature insufficiency, vein thrombosis, hypercoagulable state, women’s hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis, sex hormones, estrogen, progesterone, anti-Müllerian hormone, are discussed particular.

Language: Английский

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Gaze following in Archosauria—Alligators and palaeognath birds suggest dinosaur origin of visual perspective taking

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(20)

Published: May 19, 2023

Taking someone else’s visual perspective marks an evolutionary shift in the formation of advanced social cognition. It enables using others’ attention to discover otherwise hidden aspects surroundings and is foundational for human communication understanding others. Visual taking has also been found some other primates, a few songbirds, canids. However, despite its essential role cognition, only fragmentedly studied animals, leaving evolution origins uncharted. To begin narrow this knowledge gap, we investigated extant archosaurs by comparing neurocognitively least derived birds—palaeognaths—with closest living relatives birds, crocodylians. In gaze following paradigm, showed that palaeognaths engage grasp referentiality gazes, while crocodylians do not. This suggests originated early birds or nonavian dinosaurs—likely earlier than mammals.

Language: Английский

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Quantitative functional imaging of the pigeon brain: implications for the evolution of avian powered flight

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291(2015)

Published: Jan. 31, 2024

The evolution of flight is a rare event in vertebrate history, and one that demands functional integration across multiple anatomical/physiological systems. neuroanatomical basis for such the role brain assumes behavioural transformations remain poorly understood. We make progress by (i) generating positron emission tomography (PET)-based map activity pigeons during rest flight, (ii) using these maps analysis (iii) interpreting data within macroevolutionary context shaped non-avian dinosaurs. Although neural generally conserved from to we found significant increases cerebellum as whole optic flow pathways. Conserved suggests processing self-movement image stabilization are critical when bird takes air, while increased visual cerebellar reflects importance integrating multimodal sensory information flight-related movements. A derived capability likely arose at base maniraptoran dinosaurs, where volumetric expansion possible folding directly preceded paravian flight. These represent an important step toward establishing how modern birds supports their unique repertoire provide novel insights into neurobiology bird-like dinosaurs first achieved powered

Language: Английский

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The relationship between sternum variation and mode of locomotion in birds

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Aug. 19, 2021

Abstract Background The origin of powered avian flight was a locomotor innovation that expanded the ecological potential maniraptoran dinosaurs, leading to remarkable variation in modern birds (Neornithes). sternum is anchor for major muscles and, despite varying widely morphology, has not been extensively studied from evolutionary or functional perspectives. We quantify sternal across broad phylogenetic scope using 3D geometric morphometrics methods. Using this comprehensive dataset, we apply phylogenetically informed regression approaches test hypotheses size allometry and correlation shape with both locomotory capabilities, including flightlessness highly swimming styles Neornithes. Results find evidence isometry relative body mass document significant alongside important correlations capability, reflecting effects musculoskeletal variation. Among these, show large deep cranially projected keel necessary birds, deeper keels are correlated slower but stronger flight, robust caudal borders associated faster flapping styles, narrower sterna running abilities. Correlations between locomotion weak explanatory power, indicating although broadly ecology, other unexplored factors also important. Conclusions These results display importance by providing novel understanding form function Our study lays groundwork estimating abilities paravian ancestors Neornithes, highlighting critical element will be useful future work on along dinosaur-bird lineage.

Language: Английский

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Problems with using comparative analyses of avian brain size to test hypotheses of cognitive evolution

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(7), P. e0270771 - e0270771

Published: July 22, 2022

There are multiple hypotheses for the evolution of cognition. The most prominent Social Intelligence Hypothesis (SIH) and Ecological (EIH), which often pitted against one another. These tend to be tested using broad-scale comparative studies brain size, where size is used as a proxy cognitive ability, various social and/or ecological variables included predictors. Here, we test how robust conclusions drawn from such analyses may be. First, investigate variation in body measurements across >1000 bird species. We demonstrate that there substantial estimates datasets, indicating models likely differ depending on source data. Following this, subset our data Corvides infraorder interrogate modelling decisions impact results. show model results change substantially variable inclusion, classification. Indeed, could have contradictory about principal drivers evolution. reflect concerns growing number researchers not robust. suggest evolution, fruitful way forward focus testing performance within between closely related taxa, with an emphasis understanding relationship informational uncertainty

Language: Английский

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Coevolution of relative brain size and life expectancy in parrots

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 289(1971)

Published: March 23, 2022

Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between longevity and brain size in variety of taxa. Little research has been devoted to understanding this link parrots; yet parrots are well-known for both their exceptionally long lives cognitive complexity. We employed large-scale comparative analysis that investigated the influence life-history variables on parrots. Specifically, we addressed two hypotheses evolutionary drivers longevity: cognitivebuffer hypothesis, which proposes increased abilities enable longer lifespans, expensive holds increases lifespan caused by prolonged developmental time of, parental investment in, large-brained offspring. estimated life expectancy from detailed zoo records 133 818 individuals across 244 parrot species. Using principled Bayesian approach addresses data uncertainty imputation missing values, found consistent relative This was best explained direct effect size. Notably, no effects time, clutch or age at first reproduction. Our results suggest selection enhanced turn promoted lifespans.

Language: Английский

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Theropod dinosaurs had primate‐like numbers of telencephalic neurons

The Journal of Comparative Neurology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 531(9), P. 962 - 974

Published: Jan. 5, 2023

Abstract Understanding the neuronal composition of brains dinosaurs and other fossil amniotes would offer fundamental insight into their behavioral cognitive capabilities, but brain tissue is only rarely fossilized. However, when bony case preserved, volume therefore mass can be estimated with computer tomography; if scaling relationship between numbers neurons for clade known, that applied to estimate brain. Using a recently published database in telencephalon extant sauropsids (birds, squamates, testudines), here I show rules apply these animals used infer composed dinosaur, pterosaur, sauropsid species. The key inferring telencephalic species first using body determine whether bird‐like (endothermic) or squamate‐like (ectothermic) each This procedure shows notion “mesothermy” an artifact due mixing scaling, indicates theropods such as Tyrannosaurus Allosaurus were endotherms baboon‐ monkey‐like neurons, respectively, which make not giant also long‐lived endowed flexible cognition, thus even more magnificent predators than previously thought.

Language: Английский

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Avian telencephalon and cerebellum volumes can be accurately estimated from digital brain endocasts

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

For studies of the evolution vertebrate brain anatomy and potentially associated behaviours, reconstructions digital endocasts from computed tomography scans have revolutionized our capacity to collect neuroanatomical data. However, measurements must be validated as reflecting actual anatomy, which is difficult because collection soft tissue information through histology laborious time-consuming. In birds, reliability endocast volume proxies for two largest regions—the telencephalon cerebellum—remains despite their use proxies, e.g. cognitive performance or flight ability. We here dataset date, including 136 species 25 avian orders, compare surface area with volumes telencephalon, cerebellum whole-brain endocast. Using linear phylogenetically informed regression analyses, we demonstrate that surfaces are strongly correlated counterparts both absolute relative size. This provides empirical support using endocast-derived cerebellar telencephalic areas in existing future living extinct potential expand dinosaur—bird transition future.

Language: Английский

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