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Deuterostome brains: synopsis and commentary.

Rudolf Nieuwenhuys1

  • 1sbakker@nki.nl

Brain Research Bulletin
|March 30, 2002
PubMed
Summary

The dorsal tubular central nervous system (CNS) is a defining characteristic unique to chordates. This study explores the evolutionary origins and structure of the chordate CNS, differentiating it from other deuterostomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Living deuterostomes are classified into six monophyletic groups, including echinoderms, hemichordates, tunicates, cephalochordates, myxinoids, petromyzontoids, and gnathostomes.
  • The central nervous system (CNS) of craniotes exhibits a complex morphotype with histogenetic units, neuromeres, and zones, forming a natural coordinate system.
  • Chordates share a characteristic axial complex: a dorsal tubular CNS, notochord, and segmental muscles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins and homologies of the central nervous system (CNS) within deuterostomes.
  • To analyze the structural organization and developmental patterns of the chordate CNS.
  • To determine if the dorsal tubular CNS is a unique chordate characteristic (autapomorphy).

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of deuterostome phyla.
  • Examination of CNS morphotypes and histogenetic units.
  • Review of developmental gene expression patterns in CNS formation.
  • Literature review on chordate and non-chordate deuterostome neuroanatomy.

Main Results:

  • The craniote CNS is organized into neuromeres and zones, with classical subdivisions (prosencephalon, mesencephalon, rhombencephalon, spinal cord).
  • Chordate CNS can be divided into rostral, intermediate, and caudal sectors, influenced by homologous developmental genes.
  • No evidence of olfactory or telencephalic regions in non-craniote chordate brains was found.
  • Lack of convincing evidence for homology between chordate CNS and non-chordate deuterostome CNS.

Conclusions:

  • The dorsal tubular CNS is likely a unique evolutionary feature (autapomorphy) of chordates.
  • Significant differences exist between the CNS of chordates and other deuterostomes, particularly echinoderms and hemichordates.
  • The evolutionary trajectory of the CNS in deuterostomes is complex and highlights chordate distinctiveness.

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