A suspected infrared-recipient nucleus in the brainstem of the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus.
We discovered in the brainstem of infrared-sensitive vampire bats, Desmodus rotundus, a specific nucleus not known in other species of bats. Because it corresponded in location and histological features to the infrared nucleus of infrared-sensitive snakes, we suggest the probability of its being part of the infrared processing system of vampire bats.
D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D007259:Infrared Rays; D010802:Phylogeny; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D012911:Snakes / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014278:Trigeminal Nuclei / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology