A comprehensive atlas of white matter tracts in the chimpanzee

by Katherine L. Bryant, Longchuan Li, Nicole Eichert, Rogier B. Mars

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are, along with bonobos, humans ’ closest living relatives. The advent of diffusion MRI tractography in recent years has allowed a resurgence of comparative neuroanatomical studies in humans and other primate species. Here we offer, in comparative perspective, the first chimpanzee white matter atlas, constructed from in vivo chi mpanzee diffusion-weighted scans. Comparative white matter atlases provide a useful tool for identifying neuroanatomical differences and similarities between humans and other primate species. Until now, comprehensive fascicular atlases have been created for humans (Homo sapiens), rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), and several other nonhuman primate species, but never in a nonhuman ape. Information on chimpanzee neuroanatomy is essential for understanding the anatomical specializations of white matter organization that are unique to the human lineage.

Source: PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents - December 31, 2020 Category: Biology Authors: Katherine L. Bryant Source Type: research