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Morphology of the larval and adult brains of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus plexippus , L.
Author(s) -
Nordlander Ruth H.,
Edwards John S.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051260105
Subject(s) - danaus , biology , larva , monarch butterfly , population , anatomy , neuroblast , neuroscience , zoology , ecology , demography , sociology , neurogenesis
Cell population and neuropile morphology of larval and adult brains of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus plexippus , L., are compared. The larval brain is in continuous transition, the processes of adult brain development being underway from the earliest larval stages. It is characterized by a less diverse population of cells and more homogenous fiber areas than those of the adult. Neuroblasts, which divide to form the neurones of the adult brain, occur either in discrete proliferation centers or scattered among the larval ganglion cells. The larval brain contains, in addition to small homogeneous antennal centers and a distinct larval optic center, rapidly developing adult optic centers, corpora pedunculata, and protocerebral bridge. The larval brain lacks a central body. Major differences between larval and adult brains are clearly related to the increased dependence of the adult upon sensory input from the eyes and antennae.