Thalamo-hyperstriatal projections in the pigeon (Columbia livia) as demonstrated by retrograde double-labeling with fluorescent tracers.

Thalamo-hyperstriatal projections were studied in the pigeon by retrograde thalamic labeling following bilateral injections of different combinations of fluorescent substances (Fast Blue, Evans Blue, Nuclear Yellow) into the hyperstriatum. The distribution of single and double-labeled neurons within the thalamic nuclei dorsolateralis anterior and superficialis parvocellularis indicated the presence of distinct functional sub-regions containing neuronal populations providing ascending projections which were either ipsilateral, contralateral or bilateral via collateral axon branching.