title: The evolution of cerebellum structure correlates with nest complexity.
abstract: Across the brains of different bird species, the cerebellum varies greatly in the amount of surface folding (foliation). The degree of cerebellar foliation is thought to correlate positively with the processing capacity of the cerebellum, supporting complex motor abilities, particularly manipulative skills. Here, we tested this hypothesis by investigating the relationship between cerebellar foliation and species-typical nest structure in birds. Increasing complexity of nest structure is a measure of a bird's ability to manipulate nesting material into the required shape. Consistent with our hypothesis, avian cerebellar foliation increases as the complexity of the nest built increases, setting the scene for the exploration of nest building at the neural level.
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, University of St Andrews, , Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews KY16 9TH, UK.
authors.forename: Zachary J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Sally E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Street
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Healy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009425:Nesting Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D011336:Probability; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: avian cerebellum; cerebellar foliation; nest construction