Subcortical connections of the superior colliculus in the mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii. 1987

E Covey, and W C Hall, and J B Kobler
Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.

The mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii, depends on echolocation to navigate and capture prey. This adaptation is reflected in the large size and elaboration of brainstem auditory structures and in the minimal development of visual structures. The superior colliculus, usually associated with orienting the eyes, is nevertheless large and well developed in Pteronotus. This observation raises the question of whether the superior colliculus in the echolocating bat has evolved to play a major role in auditory rather than visual orientation. The connections of the superior colliculus in Pteronotus were studied with the aid of anterograde and retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to HRP. These results indicate that the superior colliculus of Pteronotus is composed almost entirely of the layers beneath stratum opticum. The retinal projection is restricted to a very thin zone just beneath the pial surface. Prominent afferent pathways originate in motor structures, particularly the substantia nigra and the deep nuclei of the cerebellum. Sensory input from the auditory system originates in three brainstem nuclei: the inferior colliculus, the anterolateral periolivary nucleus, and the dorsal nuclei of the lateral lemniscus. The projections from these auditory structures terminate mainly in the central tier of the deep layer. The most prominent efferent pathways are those to medial motor structures of the contralateral brainstem via the predorsal bundle and to the ipsilateral midbrain and pontine tegmentum via the lateral efferent bundle. Ascending projections to the diencephalon are mainly to the medial dorsal nucleus and zona incerta. Thus, the superior colliculus in Pteronotus possesses well-developed anatomical connections that could mediate reflexes for orienting its ears, head, or body toward objects detected by echolocation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D001933 Brain Stem The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA. Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D002685 Chiroptera Order of mammals whose members are adapted for flight. It includes bats, flying foxes, and fruit bats. Bats,Flying Foxes,Horseshoe Bats,Pteropodidae,Pteropus,Rhinolophus,Rousettus,Bat, Horseshoe,Bats, Horseshoe,Foxes, Flying,Horseshoe Bat
D004525 Efferent Pathways Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a nerve center toward a peripheral site. Such impulses are conducted via efferent neurons (NEURONS, EFFERENT), such as MOTOR NEURONS, autonomic neurons, and hypophyseal neurons. Motor Pathways,Efferent Pathway,Pathway, Efferent,Pathways, Efferent
D006735 Horseradish Peroxidase An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology. Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000344 Afferent Pathways Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a peripheral part toward a nerve center. Afferent Pathway,Pathway, Afferent,Pathways, Afferent
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013477 Superior Colliculi The anterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which coordinate the general behavioral orienting responses to visual stimuli, such as whole-body turning, and reaching. Colliculus, Superior,Optic Lobe, Human,Optic Lobe, Mammalian,Optic Tectum,Anterior Colliculus,Superior Colliculus,Tectum, Optic,Colliculi, Superior,Colliculus, Anterior,Human Optic Lobe,Human Optic Lobes,Mammalian Optic Lobe,Mammalian Optic Lobes,Optic Lobes, Human,Optic Lobes, Mammalian,Optic Tectums,Tectums, Optic
D014909 Wheat Germ Agglutinins Lectins purified from the germinating seeds of common wheat (Triticum vulgare); these bind to certain carbohydrate moieties on cell surface glycoproteins and are used to identify certain cell populations and inhibit or promote some immunological or physiological activities. There are at least two isoforms of this lectin. Agglutinins, Wheat Germ,Lectins, Triticum Vulgare,Lectins, Wheat Germ,Triticum Vulgare Lectin,Triticum Vulgare Lectins,Wheat Germ Agglutinin,Wheat Germ Lectin,Wheat Germ Lectins,Wheat Germ Agglutinin Isolectin 1,Wheat Germ Agglutinin Isolectin 2,Agglutinin, Wheat Germ,Germ Agglutinin, Wheat,Germ Lectin, Wheat,Lectin, Triticum Vulgare,Lectin, Wheat Germ,Vulgare Lectin, Triticum

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