All in the Family - Touch Versus Olfaction in Moles

Area of Science:

• Neurobiology
• Comparative Anatomy
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• The common mole (Scalopus aquaticus) and star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) belong to the same family (Talpidae) and share similar physical traits.
• Despite similarities, they exhibit significant differences in sensory systems, brain organization, and foraging behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare and contrast the neurobiology and behavior of two mole species with distinct sensory specializations.
• To investigate how differing sensory adaptations influence foraging strategies and prey detection.

Main Methods:

• Review and comparison of existing neurobiological and behavioral studies on both mole species.
• Analysis of sensory organ structure (star-nosed mole's star, common mole's nose).
• Examination of neocortical organization and somatosensory mapping in relation to sensory input.

Main Results:

• Star-nosed moles possess a unique star-shaped organ with 25,000 Eimer's organs, creating a high-resolution tactile fovea for rapid prey capture.
• Their neocortex shows three somatosensory maps of the star, with one significantly magnified for detailed tactile processing.
• Common moles lack Eimer's organs but exhibit advanced stereo-olfaction and trail-following abilities for locating larger prey, with two cortical maps of the nose.

Conclusions:

• The study reveals diverse and sophisticated sensory adaptations in moles, challenging previous assumptions about their capabilities.
• Comparing these species highlights the evolutionary flexibility of brain organization and sensory systems in response to ecological niches.
• Both species offer valuable insights into general principles of brain function and behavior through their unique specializations.