Reappraisal of the vomeronasal system of catarrhine primates: Ontogeny, morphology, functionality, and persisting questions

Smith, Timothy D.; Siegel, Michael I.; Bhatnagar, Kunwar P.

doi:10.1002/ar.1152

Cited by 86 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 60 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The MOS is often characterized as detecting odors associated with a wide range of stimuli such as food or predators, whereas the AOS is more narrowly specialized to detect pheromones or other sociosexual odors (90). The functional roles of the MOS and AOS, however, are probably far more complex than this generalization implies (90,91).…”

Section: Adaptations In Anthropoideamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The VNO is the primary receptor organ of the AOS, and accordingly much attention recently has been devoted to the presence or absence of this structure among primates. Catarrhines are unique among primates in lacking functional VNOs (91,96). Early reports of a functional VNO in humans are controversial and have not been supported by subsequent anatomical research (97,98).…”

Section: Adaptations In Anthropoideamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

New perspectives on anthropoid origins

Williams

Kay

Kirk

2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Adaptive shifts associated with human origins are brought to light as we examine the human fossil record and study our own genome and that of our closest ape relatives. However, the more ancient roots of many human characteristics are revealed through the study of a broader array of living anthropoids and the increasingly dense fossil record of the earliest anthropoid radiations. Genomic data and fossils of early primates in Asia and Africa clarify relationships among the major clades of primates. Progress in comparative anatomy, genomics, and molecular biology point to key changes in sensory ecology and brain organization that ultimately set the stage for the emergence of the human lineage.primate | Haplorhini | Strepsirrhini | human evolution | phylogeny

show abstract

Section: Adaptations In Anthropoideamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptations In Anthropoideamentioning

confidence: 99%

New perspectives on anthropoid origins

Williams

Kay

Kirk

2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Nonvolatile odorants, such as those associated with urine or saliva, enter the accessory olfactory system via the vomeronasal organ (VNO). The VNO is located at the base of the nasal cavity above the hard palate and the vomeronasal nerve projects to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) (Meredith, 1991;Meisami and Bhatnagar, 1998;Keverne, 1999;Smith et al, 2001). Within each system, the MOB and AOB are the first sites of processing within the brain (Mori et al, 1999).…”

Section: Olfactory Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within each system, the MOB and AOB are the first sites of processing within the brain (Mori et al, 1999). Although all primates have a functioning MOB, the AOB and VNO are absent in catarrhines, with the exception of vestiges of the VNO found in some hominoids Smith et al, 2001). In species with both an MOB and an AOB, the two systems are not entirely independent (Meredith, 1991;Evans and Schilling, 1995;Johnston, 1998), but it is largely the accessory olfactory system that processes chemical cues pertaining to reproduction (Meredith, 1991;Schilling and Perret, 1993;Aujard, 1997).…”

Section: Olfactory Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative analysis of the role of olfaction and the neocortex in primate intrasexual competition

Alport

2004

Anat. Rec.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In strepsirrhine primates, the accessory olfactory system plays an important role in intrasexual competition. However, it does not play the same role in most haplorhines. In these primates, the main olfactory system and neocortex may have evolved to serve similar functions as the accessory olfactory system in strepsirrhines. To test these hypotheses, the relative size of the main olfactory bulb and neocortex were analyzed for associations with male and female competition frequency and intensity (categorized as low or high). Because neocortex size and competition intensity are associated with diet, only frugivorous species were analyzed (catarrhines, n ϭ 7; platyrrhines, n ϭ 8). Neither the size of the main olfactory bulb nor the neocortex was significantly associated with intrasexual competition among males. However, neocortex size was related to the frequency of female competition. Because the main olfactory system and neocortex both serve multiple purposes, there may not be a single behavioral variable that has selected for their size. Furthermore, categorization of male and female competition intensity reflects physically aggressive behavior. Use of the neocortex for social manipulation may allow males to obtain copulations and females to obtain food resources despite poor physical fighting abilities and low dominance rank.

show abstract

“…Two receptor organs of the mammalian nasal chamber, the olfactory neuroepithelium for the main olfactory system (MOS) and the vomeronasal organ for the accessory olfactory (vomeronasal) system, are highly variable in primates (Bhatnagar and Meisami, 1998;Smith et al, 2001a;Evans, 2003). The MOS has been discussed in terms of evolutionary trends in primates concerning the relative size of the olfactory bulb compared to other sensory regions of the brain (Stephan et al, 1981;Bush et al, 2004;Kay et al, 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of olfactory epithelium in the primate nasal cavity: Are microsmia and macrosmia valid morphological concepts?

et al. 2004

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The terms "microsmatic" and "macrosmatic" are used to compare species with greater versus lesser olfactory capabilities, such as carnivores compared to certain primates. These categories have been morphologically defined based on the size of olfactory bulb and surface area of olfactory epithelium in the nasal fossa. The present study examines assumptions regarding the morphological relationship of bony elements to the olfactory mucosa, the utility of olfactory epithelial surface area as a comparative measurement, and the utility of the microsmatic concept. We examined the distribution of olfactory neuroepithelium (OE) across the anteroposterior length of the nasal fossa (from the first completely enclosed cross-section of the nasal fossa to the choanae) in the microsmatic marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) compared to four species of nocturnal strepsirrhines (Otolemur crassicaudatus, O. garnetti, Microcebus murinus, and Cheirogaleus medius). Adults of all species were examined and infant C. jacchus, O. crassicaudatus, M. murinus, and C. medius were also examined. All specimens were serially sectioned in the coronal plane and prepared for light microscopic study. Distribution of OE across all the turbinals, nasal septal surfaces, and accessory spaces of the nasal chamber was recorded for each specimen. The right nasal fossae of one adult C. jacchus and one neonatal M. murinus were also three-dimensionally reconstructed using Scion Image software to reveal OE distribution. Findings showed OE to be distributed relatively more anteriorly in adult C. jacchus compared to strepsirrhines. It was also distributed more anteriorly along the nasal septal walls and recesses in neonates than adults. Our findings also showed that OE surface area was not a reliable proxy for receptor neuron numbers due to differing OE thickness among species. Such results indicate that nasal cavity morphology must be carefully reconsidered regarding traditional functional roles (olfaction versus air conditioning) assigned to various nasal cavity structures. At present, the microsmatic concept itself lacks a basis in nasal chamber morphology, since OE may have varying patterns of distribution among different primates.

show abstract

Reappraisal of the vomeronasal system of catarrhine primates: Ontogeny, morphology, functionality, and persisting questions

Cited by 86 publications

References 60 publications

New perspectives on anthropoid origins

New perspectives on anthropoid origins

Comparative analysis of the role of olfaction and the neocortex in primate intrasexual competition

Distribution of olfactory epithelium in the primate nasal cavity: Are microsmia and macrosmia valid morphological concepts?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About