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Cited by 205Comparative Animal Anatomy StudiesAvian ecology and behaviorPrimate Behavior and Ecology

The Evolution of Cerebrotypes in Birds

Iwaniuk, Andrew N., Hurd, Peter L.·2005·Brain, Behavior and Evolution
DOI 10.1159/000084313
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Abstract

Multivariate analyses of brain composition in mammals, amphibians and fish have revealed the evolution of ‘cerebrotypes’ that reflect specific niches and/or clades. Here, we present the first demonstration of similar cerebrotypes in birds. Using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering methods to analyze a data set of 67 species, we demonstrate that five main cerebrotypes can be recognized. One type is dominated by galliforms and pigeons, among other species, that all share relatively large brainstems, but can be further differentiated by the proportional size of the cerebellum and telencephalic regions. The second cerebrotype contains a range of species that all share relatively large cerebellar and small nidopallial volumes. A third type is composed of two species, the tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) and an owl, both of which share extremely large Wulst volumes. Parrots and passerines, the principal members of the fourth group, possess much larger nidopallial, mesopallial and striatopallidal proportions than the other groups. The fifth cerebrotype contains species such as raptors and waterfowl that are not found at the extremes for any of the brain regions and could therefore be classified as ‘generalist’ brains. Overall, the clustering of species does not directly reflect the phylogenetic relationships among species, but there is a tendency for species within an order to clump together. There may also be a weak relationship between cerebrotype and developmental differences, but two of the main clusters contained species with both altricial and precocial developmental patterns. As a whole, the groupings do agree with behavioral and ecological similarities among species. Most notably, species that share similarities in locomotor behavior, mode of prey capture or cognitive ability are clustered together. The relationship between cerebrotype and behavior/ecology in birds suggests that future comparative studies of brain-behavior relationships will benefit from adopting a multivariate approach.

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  • Parrots have evolved a specific, previously unrecognized cerebrotype distinguished by a higher number of neurons allocated to the subpallium.

    “implying that parrots have evolved a specific, previously unrecognized cerebrotype (43) distinguished by a higher number of neurons allocated to the subpallium.”

    From Birds have primate-like numbers of neurons in the forebrain (2016) · cites this paper as [43]

  • Studies of phylogenetic variation in the brain structure of mammals and birds indicate many dimensions of variation, not one or two.

    “And studies of phylogenetic variation in the brain structure of mammals and birds indicate not one or two dimensions of variation but many [21–24].”

    From Embodied cognitive evolution and the cerebellum (2012) · cites this paper as [21]

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Authors
Iwaniuk, A. N., & Hurd, P. L.
Affiliations
University of Alberta (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Brain, Behavior and Evolution
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2005
Volume
65
Issue
4
Pages
215-230
ISSN
  • 0006-8977 (ISSN-L)
  • 1421-9743
DOI
10.1159/000084313
OpenAlex
W2055472934
Cited by
205
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 14
FWCI
9.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Brain Behavior and Evolution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
Keywords
avian brain evolution, brain composition, cerebellum, telencephalon, nidopallium, mesopallium, Wulst, parrots, Passeriformes, galliforms, owls, raptors, waterfowl, brain-behavior relationship, locomotor behavior, prey capture, cognitive ability, ecological niche
MeSH terms
Animals, Birds, Brain, Brain Stem, Cerebellum, Cerebral Cortex, Cognition, Biological Evolution, Organ Size, Phylogeny, Species Specificity, Telencephalon, Cluster Analysis, Principal Component Analysis

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