Convergent mosaic brain evolution is associated with the evolution of novel electrosensory systems in teleost fishes.

ABSTRACT: Brain region size generally scales allometrically with brain size, but mosaic shifts in brain region size independent of brain size have been found in several lineages and may be related to the evolution of behavioral novelty. African weakly electric fishes (Mormyroidea) evolved a mosaically enlarged cerebellum and hindbrain, yet the relationship to their behaviorally novel electrosensory system remains unclear. We addressed this by studying South American weakly electric fishes (Gymnotiformes) and weakly electric catfishes (Synodontis spp.), which evolved varying aspects of electrosensory systems, independent of mormyroids. If the mormyroid mosaic increases are related to evolving an electrosensory system, we should find similar mosaic shifts in gymnotiforms and Synodontis.

SUBMITTER: Schumacher EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9333993 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature