Evolution of Forebrain and Spatial Cognition in Vertebrates: Conservation across Diversity

Abstract

Historically the dominant trend in comparative brain and behavior research has emphasized the differences in cognition and its neural basis among species. In fact, the vertebrate forebrain shows a remarkable range of diversity and specialized adaptations. Probably the major morphological variation is that observed in the telencephalon of the actinopterygian fish, which undergoes a process of eversion during embryonic development, relative to the telencephalon of non-actinopterygians (for instance, amniotes), which develops by a process of evagination. These different developmental processes produce notable variation, mainly two solid telencephalic hemispheres separated by a unique ventricle in the actinopterygian radiation that contrasts with the hemispheres with internal ventricles in other groups. However, an increasing amount of evidence reveals that the forebrain of vertebrates, whether everted or evaginated, presents a common pattern of basic organization that supports highly conserved cognitive functions. We analyze here recent data indicating a close functional similarity between spatial cognition mechanisms in different groups of vertebrates, mammals, birds, reptiles, and teleost fish, and we show in addition that they rely on homologous neural mechanisms. Thus, recent functional and behavioral comparative evidence is added to the developmental and neuroanatomical data suggesting that the evolution of cognitive capabilities and their neural basis in vertebrates could have been more conservative than previously realized.

Empirical approaches to the study of language evolution

“…Deep homology is important because there is increasing evidence that it is common and relevant in the evolution of cognition (Arendt, 2005;Parker et al, 2013;Salas, Broglio, & Rodríguez, 2003).…”

Parasite manipulation of brain monoamines in California killifish ( Fundulus parvipinnis ) by the trematode Euhaplorchis californiensis

“…We chose the following brain regions for analysis based on the behavioural and neuroendocrine significance, stress response and putative homologies to mammalian systems ( Northcutt 1983;Parent 1983;Salas et al 2003;Wullimann & Mueller 2004;Butler & Hodos 2005): hippocampus (dorsal lateral area dorsalis telencephali, Dl); striatum (central and dorsal areas ventralis telencephali, Vc, Vd); hypothalamus (preoptic and paraventricular nuclei, NPO and NPP); and raphe nuclei (inferior and superior, IR and SR; abbreviations from Peter et al 1975 andWullimann et al 1996). Frozen whole heads were sectioned at 300 mm on a cryostat at K208C.…”

Comparative Cognition, Hippocampal Function, and Recollection

“…Many of these studies have been interpreted as supporting the notion that the hippocampus is selectively involved in spatial cognition and, in particular, in the creation and use of cognitive maps (Bingman, Ioale, Casini, & Bagnoli, 1988;Sherry, Jacobs, & Gaulin, 1992;Salas, Broglio, & Rodriguez, 2003;Jacobs & Schenk, 2003). However, this interpretation is challenged by several of the studies outlined above that demonstrate a critical role for the hippocampus in a variety of non-spatial memory tasks.…”