Quantitative 3D volumetrics of the basal nuclei in five species of Perissodactyla (Rhino, Horse, Zebra, Giraffe, Okapi)
Description
The Perissodactyla (Odd-toed ungulates) originated around 60 million years ago on the Indian subcontinent before spreading globally to occupy the environments within which we currently find extant members of this mammalian group. Several members of this taxonomic group are of high conservation value due to marked habitat loss and poaching. In this regard, ongoing studies on their biology and behavior are important not only because of the insight it provides into their evolutionary origins but also because of the potential insight gained into the unique behavioral adaptations which characterize these groups. To date, very little work has been undertaken to describe the subcortical anatomy and comparative volumetrics of the Perrissodactyla brain. In the current study we aim to complete the first comprehensive review of the subcortical morphology and volumetrics of the basal nuclei for this understudied group of mammals. Using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and associated 3D reconstructions, we compared the scaling of the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus in a sample of N = 5 species (Black rhino, horse, zebra, giraffe and okapi) and supplement this volumetric comparison with comparative gene sequence data collated through Entrez system for mRNA sequences of the SLC398A gene. Our results revealed remarkable consistency in the scaling attributes of the basal nuclei between the species and only minor variation in the gene sequence data. In conclusion, these results help to advance our understanding of scaling attributes of subcortical structures within this understudied group of mammals.
Citation Information
Lundgren, Samantha; Kuivinen, Hannah S.; Bane, Rachel; and Spocter, Muhammad A., "Quantitative 3D volumetrics of the basal nuclei in five species of Perissodactyla (Rhino, Horse, Zebra, Giraffe, Okapi)" (2026). Office of Research DMU Research Symposium. 95.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2025rs/2025abstracts/95
Quantitative 3D volumetrics of the basal nuclei in five species of Perissodactyla (Rhino, Horse, Zebra, Giraffe, Okapi)
The Perissodactyla (Odd-toed ungulates) originated around 60 million years ago on the Indian subcontinent before spreading globally to occupy the environments within which we currently find extant members of this mammalian group. Several members of this taxonomic group are of high conservation value due to marked habitat loss and poaching. In this regard, ongoing studies on their biology and behavior are important not only because of the insight it provides into their evolutionary origins but also because of the potential insight gained into the unique behavioral adaptations which characterize these groups. To date, very little work has been undertaken to describe the subcortical anatomy and comparative volumetrics of the Perrissodactyla brain. In the current study we aim to complete the first comprehensive review of the subcortical morphology and volumetrics of the basal nuclei for this understudied group of mammals. Using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and associated 3D reconstructions, we compared the scaling of the caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus in a sample of N = 5 species (Black rhino, horse, zebra, giraffe and okapi) and supplement this volumetric comparison with comparative gene sequence data collated through Entrez system for mRNA sequences of the SLC398A gene. Our results revealed remarkable consistency in the scaling attributes of the basal nuclei between the species and only minor variation in the gene sequence data. In conclusion, these results help to advance our understanding of scaling attributes of subcortical structures within this understudied group of mammals.
