S. Timmermans et al., Relative size of the hyperstriatum ventrale is the best predictor of feeding innovation rate in birds, BRAIN BEHAV, 56(4), 2000, pp. 196-203
Within the avian telencephalon, the dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) contains
higher order and multimodal integration areas. Using multiple regressions
on 17 avian taxa, we show that an operational estimate of behavioral flexib
ility, the frequency of feeding innovation reports in ornithology journals,
is most closely predicted by relative size of one of these DVR areas, the
hyperstriatum ventrale. Neither phytogeny, juvenile development mode, nor s
pecies sampled account for the relationship. Similar results are found when
the hyperstriatum ventrale is lumped with a second DVR structure, the neos
triatum. In simple correlations, size of the wulst and the striatopallidal
complex is associated with feeding innovation rate, but the two structures
are eliminated from the multiple regressions. Our results parallel those on
primates showing a correlation between innovation rate and neocortex size
and support the idea that the mammalian neocortex and the neostriatum-hyper
striatum ventrale complex in birds have similar integrative roles. Copyrigh
t (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.