The diencephalon of two carnivore species: The feliform banded mongoose and the caniform domestic ferret. Issue 1 (5th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pillay, Sashrika; Bhagwandin, Adhil; Bertelsen, Mads F.; Patzke, Nina; Engler, Gerhard; Engel, Andreas K.; Manger, Paul R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of comparative neurology. Volume 529:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2020-10-05
• Subjects: Carnivora -- dorsal thalamus -- epithalamus -- RRID: AB_10000323 -- RRID: AB_10000340 -- RRID: AB_10000343 -- RRID: AB_2079751 -- RRID: AB_2187552 -- RRID: AB_91545 -- RRID: AB_AB2088494 -- RRUD: AB_509997 -- ventral thalamus; Comparative neurobiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/cne.25036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9967

Abstract

Abstract: This study provides an analysis of the cytoarchitecture, myeloarchitecture, and chemoarchitecture of the diencephalon (dorsal thalamus, ventral thalamus, and epithalamus) of the banded mongoose ( Mungos mungo ) and domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ). Using architectural and immunohistochemical stains, we observe that the nuclear organization of the diencephalon is very similar in the two species, and similar to that reported in other carnivores, such as the domestic cat and dog. The same complement of putatively homologous nuclei were identified in both species, with only one variance, that being the presence of the perireticular nucleus in the domestic ferret, that was not observed in the banded mongoose. The chemoarchitecture was also mostly consistent between species, although there were a number of minor variations across a range of nuclei in the density of structures expressing the calcium‐binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin. Thus, despite almost 53 million years since these two species of carnivores shared a common ancestor, strong phylogenetic constraints appear to limit the potential for adaptive evolutionary plasticity within the carnivore order. Apart from the presence of the perireticular nucleus, the most notable difference between the species studied was the physical inversion of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, as well as the lateral posterior and pulvinar nuclei in the domestic ferret compared to the banded mongoose and other carnivores, although this inversion appears to be a feature of the Mustelidae family. While no functional sequelae are suggested, this inversion is likely to result from the altricial birth of Mustelidae species. Abstract : Low power photomicrographs of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (left image of banded mongoose) and calretinin (right image of domestic ferret) immunostaining through the lateral geniculate nucleus showing the inverted and rotated organization of this nucleus in the domestic ferret, which contrasts with the more typically carnivoran organization of this nucleus in the banded mongoose. A and C—laminae A and C of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; MIN—medial interlaminar nucleus, OT—optic tract, P—perigeniculate nucleus. Scale bars in each image = 1 mm.