Avian Evolution: From Darwin's Finches To A New Way Of Thinking About Avian Forebrain Organization And Behavioral Capabilities

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 15 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The study of birds, especially the Galapagos finches, was important to Darwin in the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Birds have also been at the center of a recent reformulation in understanding cerebral evolution and the substrates for higher cognition.

While it was once thought that birds possess a simple cerebrum and were thus limited to instinctive behaviors, it is now clear that birds possess a well-developed cerebrum that looks very different from the mammalian cerebrum but can support a cognitive ability that for some avian species rivals that in primates.

Royal Society Journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

www.publishing.royalsociety.org/biologyletters

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