Dumbbell-shaped brains of Polish crested chickens as a model system for the evolution of novel brain morphologies.

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary history of vertebrates is replete with emergence of novel brain morphologies, including the origin of the human brain. Existing model organisms and toolkits for investigating drivers of neuroanatomical innovations have largely proceeded on mammals. As such, a compelling non-mammalian model system would facilitate our understanding of how unique brain morphologies evolve across vertebrates. Here, we present the domestic chicken breed, white crested Polish chickens, as an avian model for investigating how novel brain morphologies originate. Most notably, these crested chickens exhibit cerebral herniation from anterodorsal displacement of the telencephalon, which results in a prominent protuberance on the dorsal aspect of the skull. We use a high-density geometric morphometri

SUBMITTER: Watanabe A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10439378 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature