Brain Evolution News
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For events & opportunities in brain evolution research follow @EurNetBrainEvoR.bsky.social
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Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Very happy for this @ejneuroscience.bsky.social editorial on the importance of diverse research animals in neuroscience. We make the case that embracing a plurality of model organisms enriches the field and accelerates both basic and translational research. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Very happy for this @ejneuroscience.bsky.social editorial on the importance of diverse research animals in neuroscience. We make the case that embracing a plurality of model organisms enriches the field and accelerates both basic and translational research. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Ever wanted to know how the visual system of a long distance migratory moth looks like? Then you'll find your answers in our new paper. Finally out, after about a decade of collecting data by a group af amazing co-authors. Find it here, open access: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
December 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Ever wanted to know how the visual system of a long distance migratory moth looks like? Then you'll find your answers in our new paper. Finally out, after about a decade of collecting data by a group af amazing co-authors. Find it here, open access: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
The ZSL Scientific Medal is also awarded to Professor Stephen Montgomery, @bristolbiosci.bsky.social whose research has provided insights into the relationships between ecological niche specialisation, brain structure, and cognitive function 🏅 @ebablab.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The ZSL Scientific Medal is also awarded to Professor Stephen Montgomery, @bristolbiosci.bsky.social whose research has provided insights into the relationships between ecological niche specialisation, brain structure, and cognitive function 🏅 @ebablab.bsky.social
Human brains light up for chimp voices in a way no one expected www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Human brains light up for chimp voices in a way no one expected
Humans don’t just recognize each other’s voices—our brains also light up for the calls of chimpanzees, hinting at ancient communication roots shared with our closest primate relatives. Researchers fou...
www.sciencedaily.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Human brains light up for chimp voices in a way no one expected www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Scientists find a surprising link between lead and human evolution share.google/vEJVURtjSv1u...
Scientists find a surprising link between lead and human evolution
Researchers found that ancient hominids—including early humans—were exposed to lead throughout childhood, leaving chemical traces in fossil teeth. Experiments suggest this exposure may have driven gen...
share.google
November 17, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Scientists find a surprising link between lead and human evolution share.google/vEJVURtjSv1u...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Why did consciousness evolve?
What’s it for?
The latest issue of @royalsociety.org Philosophical Transactions B has a series of papers from very smart people on this topic, covering all kinds of creatures 🧠🧪🤔
royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202...
What’s it for?
The latest issue of @royalsociety.org Philosophical Transactions B has a series of papers from very smart people on this topic, covering all kinds of creatures 🧠🧪🤔
royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202...
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: Vol 380, No 1939
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royalsocietypublishing.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Why did consciousness evolve?
What’s it for?
The latest issue of @royalsociety.org Philosophical Transactions B has a series of papers from very smart people on this topic, covering all kinds of creatures 🧠🧪🤔
royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202...
What’s it for?
The latest issue of @royalsociety.org Philosophical Transactions B has a series of papers from very smart people on this topic, covering all kinds of creatures 🧠🧪🤔
royalsocietypublishing.org/toc/rstb/202...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
And here is a free read-only link to our paper:
link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology 🧠🧪
link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology 🧠🧪
Homing and feral pigeons differ in hippocampal formation neuron size: a Golgi study
link.springer.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
And here is a free read-only link to our paper:
link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology 🧠🧪
link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology 🧠🧪
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
What did we find? Homing pigeons have smaller hippocampal neurons than feral pigeons. We think this might be associated with higher packing density of neurons, which could confer some advantages in spatial cognition. But more testing needed!
Fin
Fin
October 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
What did we find? Homing pigeons have smaller hippocampal neurons than feral pigeons. We think this might be associated with higher packing density of neurons, which could confer some advantages in spatial cognition. But more testing needed!
Fin
Fin
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Feral and homing pigeons differ greatly in hippocampal neuron density, so we asked, are there are also differences in neuron size and morphology. We used high resolution slide scanning of Golgi stained sections and digitally reconstructed neurons from both breeds.
October 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Feral and homing pigeons differ greatly in hippocampal neuron density, so we asked, are there are also differences in neuron size and morphology. We used high resolution slide scanning of Golgi stained sections and digitally reconstructed neurons from both breeds.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
New paper out today on hippocampus neuron morphology in homing and feral pigeons. 🧵
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology #anatomy
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology #anatomy
Homing and feral pigeons differ in hippocampal formation neuron size: a Golgi study - Brain Structure and Function
Artificial selection for behavioural traits can significantly affect the anatomy of brain regions related to the behaviour under selection. The homing pigeon (Columba livia) is a prime example of how ...
link.springer.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
New paper out today on hippocampus neuron morphology in homing and feral pigeons. 🧵
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology #anatomy
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#neuroskyence #neuroethology #anatomy
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
11. Atoji Y, Sarkar S & Wild JM 2016, Hippocampus 26(12):1608–1617, doi.org/10.1002/hipo...
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
11. Atoji Y, Sarkar S & Wild JM 2016, Hippocampus 26(12):1608–1617, doi.org/10.1002/hipo...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
9. Applegate MC, Gutnichenko KS & Aronov D 2023, J Comp Neurol 531(16):1669–1688, doi.org/10.1002/cne....
10. Applegate MC, Gutnichenko KS, Mackevicius EL & Aronov D 2023, Curr Biol 33(12):2465–2477e2467, doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
10. Applegate MC, Gutnichenko KS, Mackevicius EL & Aronov D 2023, Curr Biol 33(12):2465–2477e2467, doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
9. Applegate MC, Gutnichenko KS & Aronov D 2023, J Comp Neurol 531(16):1669–1688, doi.org/10.1002/cne....
10. Applegate MC, Gutnichenko KS, Mackevicius EL & Aronov D 2023, Curr Biol 33(12):2465–2477e2467, doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
10. Applegate MC, Gutnichenko KS, Mackevicius EL & Aronov D 2023, Curr Biol 33(12):2465–2477e2467, doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
7. Guyonnet AEM, Racicot KJ, Brinkman B & Iwaniuk AN 2025, Brain Struct Funct 230(1):9, doi.org/10.1007/s004...
8. Rook N, Stacho M, Schwarz A, Bingman VP & Güntürkün O 2023, J Comp Neurol 531(7):790–813, doi.org/10.1002/cne....
8. Rook N, Stacho M, Schwarz A, Bingman VP & Güntürkün O 2023, J Comp Neurol 531(7):790–813, doi.org/10.1002/cne....
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
7. Guyonnet AEM, Racicot KJ, Brinkman B & Iwaniuk AN 2025, Brain Struct Funct 230(1):9, doi.org/10.1007/s004...
8. Rook N, Stacho M, Schwarz A, Bingman VP & Güntürkün O 2023, J Comp Neurol 531(7):790–813, doi.org/10.1002/cne....
8. Rook N, Stacho M, Schwarz A, Bingman VP & Güntürkün O 2023, J Comp Neurol 531(7):790–813, doi.org/10.1002/cne....
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
4. Rehkämper G, Haase E & Frahm HD 1988, Brain Behav Evol 31:141–149
5. Rehkämper G, Frahm HD & Cnotka J 2008, Brain Behav Evol 71(2):115–126, doi.org/10.1159/0001...
6. Ebinger P & Löhmer R 1984, Z Zool Syst Evolut-forsch 22:136–145.
5. Rehkämper G, Frahm HD & Cnotka J 2008, Brain Behav Evol 71(2):115–126, doi.org/10.1159/0001...
6. Ebinger P & Löhmer R 1984, Z Zool Syst Evolut-forsch 22:136–145.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
4. Rehkämper G, Haase E & Frahm HD 1988, Brain Behav Evol 31:141–149
5. Rehkämper G, Frahm HD & Cnotka J 2008, Brain Behav Evol 71(2):115–126, doi.org/10.1159/0001...
6. Ebinger P & Löhmer R 1984, Z Zool Syst Evolut-forsch 22:136–145.
5. Rehkämper G, Frahm HD & Cnotka J 2008, Brain Behav Evol 71(2):115–126, doi.org/10.1159/0001...
6. Ebinger P & Löhmer R 1984, Z Zool Syst Evolut-forsch 22:136–145.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Bibliography:
1. Wallraff HG 2005, Avian navigation: pigeon homing as a paradigm, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg.
2. Bingman VP 2018, J Exp Biol 221:jeb163089, doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
3. Herold C, Coppola VJ & Bingman VP 2015, Hippocampus 25(11):1193–1211, doi.org/10.1002/hipo...
1. Wallraff HG 2005, Avian navigation: pigeon homing as a paradigm, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg.
2. Bingman VP 2018, J Exp Biol 221:jeb163089, doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
3. Herold C, Coppola VJ & Bingman VP 2015, Hippocampus 25(11):1193–1211, doi.org/10.1002/hipo...
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Bibliography:
1. Wallraff HG 2005, Avian navigation: pigeon homing as a paradigm, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg.
2. Bingman VP 2018, J Exp Biol 221:jeb163089, doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
3. Herold C, Coppola VJ & Bingman VP 2015, Hippocampus 25(11):1193–1211, doi.org/10.1002/hipo...
1. Wallraff HG 2005, Avian navigation: pigeon homing as a paradigm, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg.
2. Bingman VP 2018, J Exp Biol 221:jeb163089, doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
3. Herold C, Coppola VJ & Bingman VP 2015, Hippocampus 25(11):1193–1211, doi.org/10.1002/hipo...
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
📚 In summary: homing pigeons show smaller dorsomedial hippocampal neurons than feral pigeons (~30% reduction).
This may reflect denser packing and subtle adaptations in spatial cognition—but evidence remains preliminary.
This may reflect denser packing and subtle adaptations in spatial cognition—but evidence remains preliminary.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
📚 In summary: homing pigeons show smaller dorsomedial hippocampal neurons than feral pigeons (~30% reduction).
This may reflect denser packing and subtle adaptations in spatial cognition—but evidence remains preliminary.
This may reflect denser packing and subtle adaptations in spatial cognition—but evidence remains preliminary.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
It is unclear whether these anatomical differences arise from genetic selection, navigational experience, or both.
👉 Further studies—especially those combining behavioural testing, anatomy and physiology, as in songbirds—are needed to test this hypothesis.
👉 Further studies—especially those combining behavioural testing, anatomy and physiology, as in songbirds—are needed to test this hypothesis.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It is unclear whether these anatomical differences arise from genetic selection, navigational experience, or both.
👉 Further studies—especially those combining behavioural testing, anatomy and physiology, as in songbirds—are needed to test this hypothesis.
👉 Further studies—especially those combining behavioural testing, anatomy and physiology, as in songbirds—are needed to test this hypothesis.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
In contrast, DM neurons —analogous to the mammalian hippocampus 8,9,11— were ~30% smaller in soma size and total volume in homing pigeons. Smaller neurons could imply higher neuronal density, potentially allowing greater spatial resolution in homing pigeons.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
In contrast, DM neurons —analogous to the mammalian hippocampus 8,9,11— were ~30% smaller in soma size and total volume in homing pigeons. Smaller neurons could imply higher neuronal density, potentially allowing greater spatial resolution in homing pigeons.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Results showed no significant differences in DL neurons between breeds. The DL, comparable to the mammalian entorhinal cortex 8-10, may be activated during general navigation tasks. Thus, neuronal structure might remain similar across both pigeon types.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Results showed no significant differences in DL neurons between breeds. The DL, comparable to the mammalian entorhinal cortex 8-10, may be activated during general navigation tasks. Thus, neuronal structure might remain similar across both pigeon types.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
In this new study, researchers used Golgi staining to examine neuronal morphology in the hippocampal subregions of homing and feral pigeons.
They focused on the dorsolateral (DL) and dorsomedial (DM) parts of the HF.
They focused on the dorsolateral (DL) and dorsomedial (DM) parts of the HF.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
In this new study, researchers used Golgi staining to examine neuronal morphology in the hippocampal subregions of homing and feral pigeons.
They focused on the dorsolateral (DL) and dorsomedial (DM) parts of the HF.
They focused on the dorsolateral (DL) and dorsomedial (DM) parts of the HF.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
Earlier studies suggested that homing pigeons have an enlarged HF 4-6. However, more recent work suggests that it’s not the volume, but rather the number and density of neurons, that differ. Homing pigeons possess over twice as many hippocampal neurons as feral pigeons 7.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Earlier studies suggested that homing pigeons have an enlarged HF 4-6. However, more recent work suggests that it’s not the volume, but rather the number and density of neurons, that differ. Homing pigeons possess over twice as many hippocampal neurons as feral pigeons 7.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
🧠🐦 Artificial selection can drive anatomical brain differences between breeds.
Homing pigeons, long used in racing and message delivery, have far greater demands on spatial memory and navigation than feral pigeons, with the hippocampal formation (HF) being crucial to this process 1-3.
Homing pigeons, long used in racing and message delivery, have far greater demands on spatial memory and navigation than feral pigeons, with the hippocampal formation (HF) being crucial to this process 1-3.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
🧠🐦 Artificial selection can drive anatomical brain differences between breeds.
Homing pigeons, long used in racing and message delivery, have far greater demands on spatial memory and navigation than feral pigeons, with the hippocampal formation (HF) being crucial to this process 1-3.
Homing pigeons, long used in racing and message delivery, have far greater demands on spatial memory and navigation than feral pigeons, with the hippocampal formation (HF) being crucial to this process 1-3.
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
🚨🕊️ New paper: “Homing and feral pigeons differ in hippocampal formation neuron size: a Golgi study”.
Read below 👇
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s004...
#Neuroscience #BrainEvolution #EvoDevo #Hippocampus #Brain #Neuroanatomy #AvianBrain
Read below 👇
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s004...
#Neuroscience #BrainEvolution #EvoDevo #Hippocampus #Brain #Neuroanatomy #AvianBrain
Homing and feral pigeons differ in hippocampal formation neuron size: a Golgi study - Brain Structure and Function
Artificial selection for behavioural traits can significantly affect the anatomy of brain regions related to the behaviour under selection. The homing pigeon (Columba livia) is a prime example of how ...
doi.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
🚨🕊️ New paper: “Homing and feral pigeons differ in hippocampal formation neuron size: a Golgi study”.
Read below 👇
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s004...
#Neuroscience #BrainEvolution #EvoDevo #Hippocampus #Brain #Neuroanatomy #AvianBrain
Read below 👇
DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s004...
#Neuroscience #BrainEvolution #EvoDevo #Hippocampus #Brain #Neuroanatomy #AvianBrain
Reposted by Brain Evolution News
4. Choe SK et al. 2014, Dev Cell 28:203–211, doi.org/10.1016/j.de...
5. Giliberti A et al. 2020, Eur J Med Genet 63:103627, doi.org/10.1016/j.ej...
5. Giliberti A et al. 2020, Eur J Med Genet 63:103627, doi.org/10.1016/j.ej...
November 10, 2025 at 9:35 AM
4. Choe SK et al. 2014, Dev Cell 28:203–211, doi.org/10.1016/j.de...
5. Giliberti A et al. 2020, Eur J Med Genet 63:103627, doi.org/10.1016/j.ej...
5. Giliberti A et al. 2020, Eur J Med Genet 63:103627, doi.org/10.1016/j.ej...