The Comparative Morphology of the Cerebellum in Caprimulgiform Birds: Evolutionary and Functional Implications

Vol. 67, No. 1, 2006

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Original Paper

The Comparative Morphology of the Cerebellum in Caprimulgiform Birds: Evolutionary and Functional Implications
Andrew N. Iwaniuk^a, Peter L. Hurd^a, Douglas R.W. Wylie^{a, b}

^aDepartment of Psychology,
^bCentre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Address of Corresponding Author

Brain Behav Evol 2006;67:53-68 (DOI: 10.1159/000089120)

Key Words

Cerebellum
Caprimulgiformes
Apodiformes
Strigiformes
Evolution
Nightjar
Owl

Abstract

Interspecific variation in the structure of the avian cerebellum is poorly understood. We present the first comparison of cerebellar morphology within the avian order Caprimulgiformes. Using a range of qualitative descriptions and quantitative measurements of cerebellar morphology we compared caprimulgiform birds with hummingbirds and swifts (Apodiformes) and owls (Strigiformes), two groups that are putative sister taxa to the Caprimulgiformes. Our results demonstrate that the owlet-nightjars (Aegothelidae), nightjars (Caprimulgidae) and potoos (Nyctibiidae) are more similar to apodiforms than they are to other taxa. All of these species have a reduced anterior lobe characterized by particularly small folia II and III and a relatively large posterior lobe. The frogmouths (Podargidae) possess a markedly different cerebellum that is more similar to that of owls than any of the caprimulgiform or apodiform birds. The monotypic oilbird (Steatornis caripensis, Steatornithidae) possesses a cerebellum with some nightjar-like features and some owl-like features, but overall it too resembles an owl more than a nightjar. This cerebellar diversity within the order Caprimulgiformes has significant implications for understanding the evolutionary relationships within the order, how the avian cerebellum has evolved and whether interspecific differences in cerebellar morphology reflect behavior.

Author Contacts

Andrew N. Iwaniuk
Department of Psychology
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9 (Canada)
Tel. +1 780 492 7239, Fax +1 780 492 1768, E-Mail brainsize@yahoo.ca

Article Information

Received: January 31, 2005
Accepted after revision: May 10, 2005
Returned for revision: March 12, 2005
Published online: October 20, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 16
Number of Figures : 8, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 73

Medline Abstract (ID 16244465)

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