Ultrastructural peculiarities of the supraoptic nucleus of Mauremys caspica (turtle) : its evolutionary interest in reptiles
Paz Doel, R.; Cordovilla, R.G.; Fernandez, E.; Azcoitia, I.; Soriano, J.F.
Anatomischer Anzeiger 167(1): 35-38
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2786 PMID: 3189859 Document Number: 321310
The hypothalamic Supraoptic Nucleus (SON) supposes an evolutionary achievement in the reptiles, zoological group in which this nucleus is first differentiated. Its scarce development in the chelonian, subject of the present study, is related to their primitive brain pattern. The peculiar location and the topographical configuration of the SON in the hypothalamus of the turtle Mauremys caspica allows to evidence morphologically the successive steps in the evolutionary process from lower to higher vertebrates. The marked neurosecretory character of the chelonian SON is the unequivocal proof of its phylogenetic origin derived from the magnocellular preoptic nucleus of lower vertebrates.