Baron G
Rev Can Biol. 1977 Mar;36(1):1-16.
Volumes of the rostral colliculus and the nuclei of the geniculate body were examined in 19 species of Chiroptera belonging to 8 families characterized by different eco-ethological adaptations. These volumes were compared to those of Basal Insectivores using the allometry formula. The data were expressed in terms of progression indices which estimate how many times a given brain center is greater than that of a Basal Insectivore of the same body weight. According to the progression indices of the rostral colliculus, Chiroptera separate into two groups: the Megachiroptera which have a mean index of 331 and the Microchiroptera with a mean index of 188. On the other hand, mean indices of the lateral geniculate body distinguish between three groups : the Megachiroptera (mean 869); the frugivorous and nectarivorous Microchiroptera (mean 293); the insect-eating, blood sucking, and fish eating Microchiroptera (mean 135). The results indicate that the two anatomically and structurally distinct elements belong to two functionally different visual systems which have evolved somewhat independently. The relation between allometric development of these visual centers and the eco-ethological adaptations of the species examined reveals, to a certain extent, the relative importance of the different functional aspects of vision.
在隶属于8个科的19种蝙蝠中，研究了它们上丘和膝状体核的体积，这些蝙蝠具有不同的生态行为适应性。利用异速生长公式，将这些体积与基础食虫动物的体积进行比较。数据以进展指数表示，该指数估计给定脑区比相同体重的基础食虫动物的脑区大多少倍。根据上丘的进展指数，蝙蝠可分为两组：大蝙蝠亚目，平均指数为331；小蝙蝠亚目，平均指数为188。另一方面，外侧膝状体的平均指数区分出三组：大蝙蝠亚目（平均869）；食果和食蜜的小蝙蝠亚目（平均293）；食虫、吸血和食鱼的小蝙蝠亚目（平均135）。结果表明，这两个在解剖学和结构上不同的元素属于两个功能不同的视觉系统，它们在一定程度上独立进化。这些视觉中枢的异速生长发育与所研究物种的生态行为适应性之间的关系，在一定程度上揭示了视觉不同功能方面的相对重要性。
