Cited by 182Cephalopods and Marine BiologyMarine Invertebrate Physiology and EcologyDevelopmental Biology and Gene Regulation

Cephalopod Brains: An Overview of Current Knowledge to Facilitate Comparison With Vertebrates

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Shigeno, Shuichi, Andrews, Paul L. R., Ponte, Giovanna, Fiorito, Graziano·2018·Frontiers in Physiology

Abstract

Cephalopod and vertebrate neural-systems are often highlighted as a traditional example of convergent evolution. Their large brains, relative to body size, and complexity of sensory-motor systems and behavioral repertoires offer opportunities for comparative analysis. Despite various attempts, questions on how cephalopod 'brains' evolved and to what extent it is possible to identify a vertebrate-equivalence, assuming it exists, remain unanswered. Here, we summarize recent molecular, anatomical and developmental data to explore certain features in the neural organization of cephalopods and vertebrates to investigate to what extent an evolutionary convergence is likely. Furthermore, and based on whole body and brain axes as defined in early-stage embryos using the expression patterns of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and axonal tractography, we describe a critical analysis of cephalopod neural systems showing similarities to the cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, midbrain, cerebellum, hypothalamus, brain stem, and spinal cord of vertebrates. Our overall aim is to promote and facilitate further, hypothesis-driven, studies of cephalopod neural systems evolution.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fphys.2018.00952

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  • Invertebrates and vertebrates, despite evolving along separate branches, exhibit similar network topologies.

    “Despite evolving along separate branches, these groups exhibit similar network topologies.”

    From Fundamental constraints to the logic of living systems (2024) · cites this paper as [277]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says phyletically distant animals can have similar neural organization despite independent evolution. The Reverberating Circuitry Model section (page unavailable) describes similar connectivity and feedback-network structure in particular cephalopod and vertebrate brain regions. Those comparisons do not establish similar network topologies across invertebrates and vertebrates generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Loops and multilayer architectures are a convergent evolutionary design, as suggested by the comparative study of neural networks in invertebrates and vertebrates.

    “A positive answer is suggested by the comparative study of neural networks in invertebrates and vertebrates [276,277].”

    From Fundamental constraints to the logic of living systems (2024) · cites this paper as [277]

    The Introduction describes similarities in neural organization among distantly related animals, and the Reverberating Circuitry Model section compares recurrent feedback networks in cephalopods and vertebrates (page numbers unavailable). This supports the suggestion that loop-like circuitry may be a convergent feature, but the cited passages do not establish multilayer architectures as a convergent design. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Cuttlefish do not possess a hippocampus.

    “such as cuttlefish which do not even possess a hippocampus [135].”

    From Is episodic-like memory <i>like</i> episodic memory? (2024) · cites this paper as [135]

  • The vertical lobe in cuttlefish presents similarities to vertebrate hippocampus formation in its connectivity and functionality.

    “Instead, the structure representing the epicentre for learning and memory in cuttlefish is known as the vertical lobe, which presents similarities to vertebrate hippocampus formation in its connectivity and functionality [135–137].”

    From Is episodic-like memory <i>like</i> episodic memory? (2024) · cites this paper as [135]

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Research works printed but not linked: 10

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Authors
Shigeno, S., Andrews, P. L. R., Ponte, G., & Fiorito, G.
Affiliations
  • Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (IT)
  • St George's, University of London (GB)
Corresponding author
  • Shigeno, Shuichi
  • Ponte, Giovanna
Venue
Frontiers in Physiology
Published
2018-07-20
Volume
9
Pages
952-952
ISSN
1664-042X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2810352840
Cited by
182
References
193
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 1
FWCI
1.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • St George's Online Research Archive (St George's University of London) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • European Cooperation in Science and Technology
  • Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca
  • Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Cephalopods and Marine Biology
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
Keywords
cephalopod brain, convergent evolution, homeodomain transcription factor, embryonic brain development, cerebral cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum, hypothalamus, brainstem, spinal cord, comparative neuroanatomy

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