Biomaterial Database

A volumetric comparison of brains between greylag geese (Anser anser L.) and domestic geese. 1987

P Ebinger, and R Löhmer

Institut für Zoologie der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover.

Volumes of brain and brain subdivisions in greylag and domestic geese are determined by cytoarchitectonical methods in order to confirm the reduction in brain weight of 16.13% due to domestication which was described in an earlier study. Olfactory structures, nucleus basalis and the 'piriform' corticoid layer are found to be particular different in shape and position compared to other birds, especially the pigeon. The volumes of brain parts in relation to the total brain are very similar in both: greylag geese and domestic geese. The extent of changes in brain parts due to domestication varies. The decrease of the prosencephalon by 18.8% is double the size of the rhombencephalon (9%). Remarkable are the reduction values of the tectum opticum (21.8%), the tractus opticus (37.3%), the hyperstriatum ventrale (26.1%), the archistriatum (22.4%), and the hippocampus (31%). Changes in brain size are compared with observations found in other domesticated birds. Evolutional, functional and environmental connexions are discussed as well.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D005777	Geese	Any of various large waterfowl in the order Anseriformes, especially those of the genera Anser (gray geese) and Branta (black geese). They are larger than ducks but smaller than swans, prefer FRESH WATER, and occur primarily in the northern hemisphere.	Goose,Gooses
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
D000829	Animals, Domestic	Animals which have become adapted through breeding in captivity to a life intimately associated with humans. They include animals domesticated by humans to live and breed in a tame condition on farms or ranches for economic reasons, including LIVESTOCK (specifically CATTLE; SHEEP; HORSES; etc.), POULTRY; and those raised or kept for pleasure and companionship, e.g., PETS; or specifically DOGS; CATS; etc.	Farm Animals,Domestic Animals,Domesticated Animals,Animal, Domestic,Animal, Domesticated,Animal, Farm,Animals, Domesticated,Animals, Farm,Domestic Animal,Domesticated Animal,Farm Animal
D000835	Animals, Wild	Animals considered to be wild or feral or not adapted for domestic use. It does not include wild animals in zoos for which ANIMALS, ZOO is available.	Animals, Nondomestic,Animals, Nondomesticated,Animals, Feral,Stray Animals,Animal, Feral,Animal, Nondomestic,Animal, Nondomesticated,Animal, Stray,Animal, Wild,Animals, Stray,Feral Animal,Feral Animals,Nondomestic Animal,Nondomestic Animals,Nondomesticated Animal,Nondomesticated Animals,Stray Animal,Wild Animal,Wild Animals
D013045	Species Specificity	The restriction of a characteristic behavior, anatomical structure or physical system, such as immune response; metabolic response, or gene or gene variant to the members of one species. It refers to that property which differentiates one species from another but it is also used for phylogenetic levels higher or lower than the species.	Species Specificities,Specificities, Species,Specificity, Species
D013687	Telencephalon	The anterior subdivision of the embryonic PROSENCEPHALON or the corresponding part of the adult prosencephalon that includes the cerebrum and associated structures.	Endbrain,Endbrains