ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The diencephalon of Polypterus can be divided into an epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. The habenulae, the nervous parts of the epithalamus, are comparable to their homologues in other lower vertebrates with respect to sulcal boundaries, cellular structure, and fiber connections. The thalamus of Polypterus is not divisible into a pars dorsalis and pars ventralis by the sulcus medius; rather this sulcus is in the middle of a uniform, laminated cytoarchitectonic field. In this respect Polypterus differs from other species in whom the sulcus medius divides the thalamus into dorsal and ventral parts. There are six migrated nuclei in the thalamus of Polypterus. There is only one circumscribed projection into the thalamus, i.e., the optic tract, but there are numerous diffuse fibers terminating in this region of the brain. The hypothalamus, except for a partially migrated nucleus, has retained the periventricular arrangement of cells. It has large fiber connections with the forebrain and brainstem.The literature on the diencephalon of lower forms has been reviewed with special emphasis on the question of how homologies are established in this brainpart. It appeared that three different criteria, either singly or in combination, have been employed as a clue to identification of structures in the diencephalon. These are, (1) ventricular grooves, (2) nuclear boundaries, and (3) fiber connections. In order to test the practical validity of these criteria the diencephalon of Polypterus was compared to that of five related species, i.e., the actinopterygians Acipenser and Polyodon, the dipnoans Protopterus and Neoceratodus, and the crossopterygian Latimeria. In addition three amphibians, Necturus, Ambystoma and Rana, were involved in our comparative considerations. It was concluded that, within the confines of the diencephalon of the species mentioned, cytoarchitectural differences form the most valid criterion for establishing homologies. The drawback and restrictions connected with the use of ventricular sulci and fiber connections, as a clue to identification have been evaluated and discussed.
Additional Material:
1 Tab.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051180309
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