Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Stereotaxic Surgery for Excitotoxic Lesion of Specific Brain Areas in the Adult Rat
Published on: July 19, 2012
Brain atlas of the African mole-rat Fukomys anselli
Alexa Dollas1, Helmut H A Oelschläger2, Sabine Begall1,3
1Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Abstract:
African mole-rats are subterranean rodents that spend their whole life in underground burrow systems. They show a range of morphological and physiological adaptations to their ecotope, for instance severely reduced eyes and specialized somatosensory, olfactory, and auditory systems. These adaptations are also reflected in the accessory sensory pathways in the brain that process the input coming from the sensory organs. So far, a brain atlas was available only for the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber). The Ansell's mole-rat (Fukomys anselli) has been the subject of many investigations in various disciplines (ethology, sensory physiology, and anatomy) including magnetic orientation. It is therefore surprising that an atlas of the brain of this species was not available so far. Here, we present a comprehensive atlas of the Ansell's mole-rat brain based on Nissl and Klüver-Barrera stained sections. We identify and label 375 brain regions and discuss selected differences from the brain of the closely related naked mole-rat as well as from epigeic mammals (rat), with a particular focus on the auditory brainstem. This atlas can serve as a reference for future neuroanatomical investigations of subterranean mammals.
Related Concept Videos
Formula Mass and Mole Concepts of Compounds
Chemical Stoichiometry and Gases: Using Ideal Gas Law to Determine Moles
Mixtures of Gases: Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures and Mole Fractions
Brain Waves
Organization of the Brain
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...
Brain Imaging
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic...

