Article
Biology
Rebekah Keating Godfrey, Mira Swartzlander, Wulfila Y. Gronenberg
Summary: This study estimated total brain cell numbers for 32 species of Hymenoptera using the isotropic fractionator method, revealing ants have particularly small brains compared to bees and wasps. Small Hymenoptera tend to have proportionally larger brains and higher brain cell densities, similar to trends in most vertebrates. The study establishes the isotropic fractionator as a useful method for comparative studies of brain size evolution in insects.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Felipe Cunha, Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez, Kelsey Racicot, Douglas R. Wylie, Andrew N. Iwaniuk
Summary: The study revealed that the variations in size and shape of the cerebellum are largely influenced by neuron numbers, rather than neuron sizes. The rate of increase in neuron numbers varied across different types of neurons, highlighting the complexity of cerebellar anatomy across species. Additionally, while the folding index was a poor predictor of surface area and Purkinje cell numbers, surface area was found to be the best predictor of Purkinje cell numbers.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Catherine Kitrinos, Rachel B. Bell, Brenda J. Bradley, Jason M. Kamilar
Summary: This study examined the diversity and composition of nonhuman primate hair microbiome using samples from 12 NHP species. The findings suggest that hair microbial communities are affected by both evolutionary and environmental factors and are relatively similar across nonhuman primate body sites. The results have important implications for understanding the biology and conservation of primates and the uniqueness of the human microbiome.
Article
Biology
Ryan N. Felice, Diego Pol, Anjali Goswami
Summary: Modern crocodyliforms have conservative skull morphology but exhibit complex macroevolutionary dynamics. The pace of crocodyliform cranial evolution is initially high, slows near the base of Neosuchia, and has a late burst of rapid evolution in crown-group crocodiles. Despite low phenotypic variation, modern crocodyliforms, especially in certain regions, have high rates of evolution, leading to significant convergence.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Barbara Fischer, Nicole D. S. Grunstra, Eva Zaffarini, Philipp Mitteroecker
Summary: Comparing pelvic sex differences across modern humans and chimpanzees reveals a similar pattern despite differences in magnitude of pelvis shape dimorphism, suggesting that this pattern did not evolve de novo in modern humans but was present in the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Dirk Jan Ardesch, Lianne H. Scholtens, Siemon C. de Lange, Lea Roumazeilles, Alexandre A. Khrapitchev, Todd M. Preuss, James K. Rilling, Rogier B. Mars, Martijn P. van den Heuvel
Summary: The study found that as brain size increases, there are restrictions on macroscopic connectivity, leading to lower overall connectedness, sparser long-range connectivity, and longer communication paths. Additionally, there were asymmetries in connectivity patterns between homologous areas across the left and right hemispheres in larger brains.
Article
Anesthesiology
Ji Hee Hong, Jae Yoon Lee, Seung Ju Kim, Kyeong Hwan Seo
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the diverse clinical features, treatment methods, and brain imaging studies in Korean patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The results showed that trigeminal neuralgia mainly occurred in females aged 50-70, with the V3 division being the most commonly affected region, mostly on the right side. The most common pain description was an electric shock-like sensation, and the most common pain location was intraoral. Normal brain imaging studies were observed in 64.7% of patients, while vascular compression on the trigeminal nerve was observed in 25%. The superior cerebellar artery was the most common offending vessel. Monotherapy with carbamazepine alone was the most common treatment, and radiofrequency thermoablation was the most common invasive treatment. These findings are important for understanding the characteristics of trigeminal neuralgia in the Korean population.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelsey J. Racicot, Christina Popic, Felipe Cunha, Dominic Wright, Rie Henriksen, Andrew N. Iwaniuk
Summary: This research quantified cell layer volumes, neuron numbers, and neuron sizes in the cerebella of chickens and junglefowl, finding that chickens have larger, more folded cerebella with more and larger granule cells compared to junglefowl. The study suggests that the chicken cerebellum can be considered a scaled-up version of the junglefowl cerebellum, but with enlarged granule cells. The findings partially support a recent theory that domestication does not affect neuronal density within brain regions, but further quantitative analyses in other domesticated species and brain regions are needed to determine if these neuroanatomical changes are typical of domestication.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Shinichi Morita, Kazuki Sakura, Hiroki Gotoh, Douglas J. Emlen, Teruyuki Niimi
Summary: The exaggerated horns of beetles are ideal models for studying the origin of novel traits and morphological evolution. Different closely related species show significant differences in the size, number, shape, and body region of their horns. Beetle horns also exhibit nutrition-dependent phenotypic plasticity, with the largest and best-condition individuals showing disproportionate growth of their horns, while poor-condition individuals have much smaller or even stunted horns. Recent research using genome sequencing has revealed these exciting phenomena in beetle horns.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tao Su, Xiao Gao, Hongjun Li, Li Zhang, Pengfei Han, Hong Chen
Summary: Frequent consumption of spicy food can lead to decreased sensitivity to capsaicin and salty taste, as well as altered perception of irritative intensity. However, sour taste perception and intranasal trigeminal sensitivity remain unaffected by spicy food consumption frequency.
FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Tony Ro, Lua Koenig
Summary: Research has shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can induce numbsense, indicating the existence of a parallel somatosensory pathway that processes touch location without awareness; this underscores the importance of primary sensory cortices for conscious perception.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jose Jonathas Pereira Rodrigues de Lira, Yue Yan, Sophie Levasseur, Clint D. Kelly, Andrew P. Hendry
Summary: Male genitalia in guppies show rapid divergence influenced by both sexual selection and ecological factors, with higher predation pressure leading to longer gonopodia in juvenile males but not in adults. This suggests that evolutionary trends in gonopodium length may be erased after maturity due to environmental pressures, highlighting the complex dynamics of genitalia evolution in this species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Michael B. Pritz
Summary: The study compared the cellular morphology of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) in crocodilians and mammals, finding similarities and differences which may be due to variations in forebrain organization.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona, Barbara A. Ambrose
Summary: The study focuses on the expression patterns of key genes in the development of integuments in the ovules of Gnetum gnemon, a gymnosperm plant with unique ovule morphology, highlighting differences compared to angiosperms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rosannette Quesada-Hidalgo, William G. Eberhard, Gilbert Barrantes
Summary: The study found that spiderlings of orb weavers are capable of making complex adjustments to their web designs in very small spaces with the same precision as adult spiders, possibly due to a similar number of neurons between them.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Alida M. Bailleul, Lawrence M. Witmer, Casey M. Holliday
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2017)
Article
Paleontology
Henry P. Tsai, Kevin M. Middleton, John R. Hutchinson, Casey M. Holliday
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Emily J. Lessner, Cortaiga A. Gant, Tobin L. Hieronymus, Matthew K. Vickaryous, Casey M. Holliday
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Casey M. Holliday, William Ruger Porter, Kent A. Vliet, Lawrence M. Witmer
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ian N. Cost, Kevin M. Middleton, Kaleb C. Sellers, Michael Scott Echols, Lawrence M. Witmer, Julian L. Davis, Casey M. Holliday
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Zoology
K. C. Sellers, A. B. Schmiegelow, C. M. Holliday
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biology
Alec T. Wilken, Kevin M. Middleton, Kaleb C. Sellers, Ian N. Cost, Casey M. Holliday
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Emily J. Lessner, Casey M. Holliday
Summary: This study explores the anatomical patterns of cranial nerves in different developmental stages of alligators using three-dimensional models and CT imaging technology for the first time. The findings reveal the growth and development patterns of alligator cranial nerves, which are important for understanding neurological diversity and the evolution and developmental homology of cranial regions.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Mauro N. Nieto, Federico J. Degrange, Kaleb C. Sellers, Diego Pol, Casey M. Holliday
Summary: Notosuchia was a successful and diverse clade of crocodyliforms during the Cretaceous of Gondwana. Araripesuchus gomesii, a small notosuchian from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil, likely fed on small prey and other trophic items due to its small size and limited bite force, as suggested by the study results.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Jason M. Bourke, Nicole Fontenot, Casey Holliday
Summary: The Indian gharial has a remarkably thin rostrum, leading to challenges in nasal physiology such as septal deviation. Their nasal anatomy includes confluent nostrils and choanae, potentially playing a role in their unique nasal acoustics. Deviated nasal septum in female gharials can result in increased nasal resistance and unequal distribution of airflow.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ian N. Cost, Kaleb C. Sellers, Rachel E. Rozin, Anthony T. Spates, Kevin M. Middleton, Casey M. Holliday
Summary: Comparing performance and kinematics across behavior, development, and phylogeny is crucial for understanding the evolution of musculoskeletal systems. This study demonstrates the use of ternary plots to compare the 3D orientation of muscle data, providing insights into the function and evolution of feeding apparatus in vertebrates.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Casey M. Holliday, Kaleb C. Sellers, Emily J. Lessner, Kevin M. Middleton, Corrine Cranor, Conner D. Verhulst, Stephan Lautenschlager, Kenneth Bader, Matthew A. Brown, Matthew W. Colbert
Summary: New imaging and biomechanical approaches have led to a renaissance in our understanding of crocodylian anatomy, particularly in the study of jaw muscles. These approaches, such as iodine-contrast microCT and 3D modeling, provide new insights into the anatomy, diversity, and function of jaw muscles and the heads of crocodylians.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Casey M. Holliday, Emma R. Schachner
Summary: This special issue highlights the recent advances in the biology and paleontology of crocodilians, showcasing the diverse approaches used by researchers to bring these fascinating creatures to life. The studies cover various aspects such as imaging, modeling, anatomical studies, and genetic evidence, shedding light on the evolution, development, and behavior of crocodilians and their extinct ancestors.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Kaleb C. Sellers, Mauro Nicolas Nieto, Federico J. Degrange, Diego Pol, James M. Clark, Kevin M. Middleton, Casey M. Holliday
Summary: Jaw muscles are crucial for vertebrate feeding, but their anatomy is influenced by skull morphology. Crocodylians generate the highest bite forces and have flat skulls, which impact jaw muscle anatomy.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Emily J. J. Lessner, Kathleen N. N. Dollman, James M. M. Clark, Xing Xu, Casey M. M. Holliday
Summary: The study focuses on the trigeminal nerve in vertebrates, and found that crocodiles have enhanced tactile sensation. Through the analysis of fossil remains, it was discovered that early Jurassic crocodylomorphs had increased sensory abilities. The research establishes patterns of reptile trigeminal ecomorphology and reveals evolutionary patterns of somatosensory ecology.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)