Work

Reconstructing the Areal Organization of the Neocortex of the First Mammals

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: The fossil record indicates that early mammals had small brains with proportionately little neocortex. Here we consider what is known about the organization of the neocortex in species with the least expanded neocortex from 6 major clades of the mammalian radiation. Common features of the neocortex across these clades include primary and secondary sensory areas, retrosplenial and cingulate cortex, and frontal cortex. Overall, early mammals likely had a core of 15-20 cortical areas that have been retained in most present-day mammals.

Source: Brain Behavior and Evolution

DOI: 10.1159/000327316

Author: Jon H. Kaas

Institution: Vanderbilt University

Language: English

Topic: Evolution and Paleontology Studies

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Eye Institute, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Awards: Functional Organization of the Somatosensory System, Functional Organization of the Visual System