The mole nose instructs the brain.
Star-nosed moles normally have 11 mobile appendages, or rays, extending from each side of the nose. In cytochrome oxidase preparations, each ray is visible in primary somatosensory cortex as a dark band separated by light septa. When a single mole was found with 12 rays on each side of the nose, primary somatosensory cortex had 12 bands. We take this as further evidence that morphological features of somatosensory cortex are determined by the periphery.
Catania
K C
KC
Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
Kaas
J H
JH
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008971:Moles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009666:Nose / Q000294:innervation*; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*