Comparative analysis of squamate brains unveils multi-level variation in cerebellar architecture associated with locomotor specialization

Simone Macrì, Yoland Savriama, Imran Khan and Nicolas Di-Poï ()
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Simone Macrì: University of Helsinki
Yoland Savriama: University of Helsinki
Imran Khan: University of Helsinki
Nicolas Di-Poï: University of Helsinki

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Ecomorphological studies evaluating the impact of environmental and biological factors on the brain have so far focused on morphology or size measurements, and the ecological relevance of potential multi-level variations in brain architecture remains unclear in vertebrates. Here, we exploit the extraordinary ecomorphological diversity of squamates to assess brain phenotypic diversification with respect to locomotor specialization, by integrating single-cell distribution and transcriptomic data along with geometric morphometric, phylogenetic, and volumetric analysis of high-definition 3D models. We reveal significant changes in cerebellar shape and size as well as alternative spatial layouts of cortical neurons and dynamic gene expression that all correlate with locomotor behaviours. These findings show that locomotor mode is a strong predictor of cerebellar structure and pattern, suggesting that major behavioural transitions in squamates are evolutionarily correlated with mosaic brain changes. Furthermore, our study amplifies the concept of ‘cerebrotype’, initially proposed for vertebrate brain proportions, towards additional shape characters.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13405-w

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