Quantifying neurovascular canal branching patterns reveals a shared crocodylian arrangement. (2nd November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lessner, Emily J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of morphology. Volume 282:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2020-11-02
• Subjects: dendritic -- inferior alveolar canal -- ordering -- sensitivity -- trigeminal nerve; Morphology -- Periodicals; Physiology -- Periodicals; Anatomy -- Periodicals; 571.3
• DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-2525

Abstract

Abstract: Highly branched dendritic structures are common in nature and often difficult to quantify and therefore compare. Cranial neurovascular canals, examples of such structures, are osteological correlates for somatosensory systems and have been explored only qualitatively. Adaptations of traditional stream‐ordering methods are applied to representative structures derived from computed tomography‐scan data. Applying these methods to crocodylian taxa, this clade demonstrates a shared branching pattern and exemplifies the comparative utility of these methods. Additionally, this pattern corresponds with current understanding of crocodylian sensory abilities and behaviors. The method is applicable to many taxa and anatomical structures and provides evidence for morphology‐based hypotheses of sensory and physiological evolution. Abstract : Topological complexity. Tally of terminal topological segments scaled to neurovascular canal length representing branch location along the neurovascular canal.