Neuropil Distribution in the Anterior Cingulate and Occipital Cortex of Artiodactyls

Relatively little neuroscience research has been focused on artiodactyls. Recent observations of complex social interactions in domestic and wild species suggest that analyses of artiodactyl brain anatomy would be of comparative value. In this study, we examined how the distribution of cortical neuropil space (a proxy for connectivity) varies across representative members of this diverse clade. Using image analysis techniques, we quantified the neuropil space in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the occipital (putative primary visual) cortex (OC) of 12 artiodactyl species from adult specimens. Additionally, we conducted a preliminary investigation of variation in ACC neuropil space in a developmental series of five white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Results indicate a consistent pattern of greater neuropil space in the ACC in comparison to the OC among all species, and a gradual increase in ACC neuropil space toward maturity in the white-tailed deer. Given the taxa that have the greatest cortical neuropil space, we hypothesize that such enhanced connectivity might be needed to support behaviors such as group foraging and attentiveness to conspecifics. These results help advance a broader understanding of diversity in neural circuitry in artiodactyls and point to the need for more in-depth comparisons of cortical neuron morphology and organization in this relatively understudied taxonomic group. Anat Rec, 301:1871-1881, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.