Chameleon brain, neurological fuctions??

[Psychobunny]

I have searched everywhere looking for information about how the cham brain works, the functions and anatomy.
Cant even find anything in reptile med text books!!

Can anyone help??

 

[Chris Anderson]

There are a few studies on the chameleon brain and nervous system, but for the most part they are detailed anatomy articles found in old journals that require a considerable understanding of the brain already. Was there anything in particular you were curious about? A couple trends you see is that the cerebellum is highly developed (important in balance and equilibrium), the olfactory bulbs are tiny with slender peduncles (suggesting limited ability to smell), the nucleus sphaericus is reduced (suggesting limited vomeronasal capacity), the basal optic root ganglion is well developed (good eye movement control), and the hypoglossal nucleus is highly differentiated (complex and highly evolved tongue projection mechanism).

Chris

 

[chameleonkev]

Wow, I love to see your comments and posts Chris, for the most part I can follow. Your must have forgot more about chameleons than I no

 

[Psychobunny]

There are a few studies on the chameleon brain and nervous system, but for the most part they are detailed anatomy articles found in old journals that require a considerable understanding of the brain already. Was there anything in particular you were curious about? A couple trends you see is that the cerebellum is highly developed (important in balance and equilibrium), the olfactory bulbs are tiny with slender peduncles (suggesting limited ability to smell), the nucleus sphaericus is reduced (suggesting limited vomeronasal capacity), the basal optic root ganglion is well developed (good eye movement control), and the hypoglossal nucleus is highly differentiated (complex and highly evolved tongue projection mechanism).

Chris

Thanks, that already helps.
I do have some neuroscience and can follow along somewhat if I look stuff up in my text books.
I was interested in what brain structures they have in general and how modified the stuctures have become.
Do you know of any anatomy charts I can see online?

 

[Chris Anderson]

Thanks, that already helps.
I do have some neuroscience and can follow along somewhat if I look stuff up in my text books.
I was interested in what brain structures they have in general and how modified the stuctures have become.
Do you know of any anatomy charts I can see online?

There really isn't any online sites with anything on chameleon brain anatomy. You essentially have to go to the primary literature, as there isn't really any summaries of it published anywhere.

Chris

 

[Psychobunny]

There really isn't any online sites with anything on chameleon brain anatomy. You essentially have to go to the primary literature, as there isn't really any summaries of it published anywhere.

Chris

Thanks Chris, that would explain why I can find nothing!!

I would like to know how on earth they are able to process, focus and coordinate the info coming in from 2 independent, rotating eyes??!!!

I don't know of any other animal on earth that can do that!