Neurobiology of Monotremes [OP]: Brain Evolution in Our Distant Mammalian Cousins

Neurobiology of Monotremes brings together current information on the development, structure, function and behavioural ecology of the monotremes. The monotremes are an unusual and evolutionarily important group of mammals showing striking behavioural and physiological adaptations to their niches. They are the only mammals exhibiting electroreception (in the trigeminal sensory pathways) and the echidna shows distinctive olfactory specialisations. The authors aim to close the current gap in knowledge between the genes and developmental biology of monotremes on the one hand, and the adult structure, function and ecology of monotremes on the other. They explore how the sequence 'embryonic structure › adult structure › behaviour' is achieved in monotremes and how this differs from other mammals. The work also combines a detailed review of the neurobiology of monotremes with photographic and diagrammatic atlases of the sectioned adult brains and peripheral nervous system of the short-beaked echidna and platypus. Pairing of a detailed review of the field with the first published brain atlases of two of the three living monotremes will allow the reader to immediately relate key points in the text to features in the atlases and will extend a universal system of brain nomenclature developed in eutherian brain atlases by G Paxinos and colleagues to monotremes. The monotremes are an unusual and evolutionarily important group of mammals showing striking behavioral and physiological adaptations to their niches. They are the only mammals exhibiting electroreception (in the trigeminal sensory pathways) and the echidna shows distinctive olfactory specializations. This book brings together current information on the development, structure, function and behavioral ecology of the monotremes. The author aims to close the current gap in knowledge between the genes and developmental biology of monotremes on the one hand, and the adult structure, function and ecology of monotremes on the other. He explores how the sequence embryonic structure adult structure behavior is achieved in monotremes and how this differs from other mammals. The work also combines a detailed review of the neurobiology of monotremes with photographic and diagrammatic atlases of the sectioned adult brains and peripheral nervous system of the short-beaked echidna and platypus. Pairing of a detailed review of the field with the first published brain atlases of two of the three living monotremes will allow the reader to immediately relate key points in the text to features in the atlases and will extend a universal system of brain nomenclature developed in eutherian brain atlases by G. Paxinos and colleagues to monotremes. * Craig D. Hardman--Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales * A. M. Musser--Australian Museum, Sydney * Stewart C. Nicol--School of Zoology, University of Tasmania Classification And Evolution Of The Monotremes / A.m. Musser -- Behaviour And Ecology Of The Monotremes / Stewart C. Nicol -- Embryology And Post-hatching Development Of The Monotremes / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Overview Of Monotreme Nervous System Structure And Evolution / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Peripheral Nervous System, Spinal Cord, Brainstem And Cerebellum / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Diencephalon And Deep Telencephalic Structures / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Cerebral Cortex And Claustrum/endopiriform Complex / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Visual System / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Somatosensory And Electrosensory Systems / Ken W.s. Ashwell And Craig D. Hardman -- Auditory And Vestibular Systems / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Chemical Senses : Olfactory And Gustatory Systems / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- The Hypothalamus, Neuroendocrine Interface And Autonomic Regulation / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Monotremes And The Evolution Of Sleep / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Reflections : Monotreme Neurobiology In Context / Ken W.s. Ashwell -- Atlas And Tables Of Peripheral Nervous System Anatomy / Ken W.s. Ashwell And Anne M. Musser -- Atlas Of The Adult And Developing Brain And Spinal Cord Of The Short-beaked Echidna (tachyglossus Aculeatus Aculeatus) / Ken W.s. Ashwell And Craig D. Hardman -- Atlas Of The Adult And Developing Brain Of The Platypus (ornithorhynchus Anatinus) / Ken W.s. Ashwell And Craig D. Hardman. Editor, Ken Ashwell ; Contributors, Ken W.s. Ashwell, Craig D. Hardman, A.m. Musser, Stewart C. Nicol. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 465-493) And Index.

Neurobiology of Monotremes brings together current information on the development, structure, function and behavioural ecology of the monotremes. The monotremes are an unusual and evolutionarily important group of mammals showing striking behavioural and physiological adaptations to their niches. They are the only mammals exhibiting electroreception (in the trigeminal sensory pathways) and the echidna shows distinctive olfactory specialisations.

The authors aim to close the current gap in knowledge between the genes and developmental biology of monotremes on the one hand, and the adult structure, function and ecology of monotremes on the other. They explore how the sequence 'embryonic structure › adult structure › behaviour' is achieved in monotremes and how this differs from other mammals.

The work also combines a detailed review of the neurobiology of monotremes with photographic and diagrammatic atlases of the sectioned adult brains and peripheral nervous system of the short-beaked echidna and platypus. Pairing of a detailed review of the field with the first published brain atlases of two of the three living monotremes will allow the reader to immediately relate key points in the text to features in the atlases and will extend a universal system of brain nomenclature developed in eutherian brain atlases by G Paxinos and colleagues to monotremes.

The monotremes are an unusual and evolutionarily important group of mammals showing striking behavioural and physiological adaptations to their niches. They are the only mammals exhibiting electroreception, and the echidna shows distinctive olfactory specialisations. This book brings together current information on the development, structure, function and behavioural ecology of monotremes.