The evolution of cerebellum structure correlates with nest complexity

Hall, Z.J.; Street, S.E.; Healy, S.D.

Abstract

Across the brains of different bird species, the cerebellum varies greatly in the amount of surface folding (foliation). The degree of cerebellar foliation is thought to correlate positively with the processing capacity of the cerebellum, supporting complex motor abilities, particularly manipulative skills. Here, we tested this hypothesis by investigating the relationship between cerebellar foliation and species-typical nest structure in birds. Increasing complexity of nest structure is a measure of a bird's ability to manipulate nesting material into the required shape. Consistent with our hypothesis, avian cerebellar foliation increases as the complexity of the nest built increases, setting the scene for the exploration of nest building at the neural level.

Citation

Hall, Z., Street, S., & Healy, S. (2013). The evolution of cerebellum structure correlates with nest complexity. Biology Letters, 9(6), Article 20130687. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0687

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 7, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Dec 4, 2013
• Publication Date: Dec 4, 2013
• Deposit Date: Aug 9, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 24, 2017
• Journal: Biology Letters
• Print ISSN: 1744-9561
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-957X
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 6
• Article Number: 20130687
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0687
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1379533