The avian auditory pallium

Abstract

The functional and anatomical similarities between the avian auditory pallium and the mammalian auditory cortex are arguably as striking as their differences. Here, we hope to demonstrate the potential of a comparative approach in auditory physiology. On the one hand, birds and mammals face similar problems in auditory scene analysis and therefore it is not surprising to find evolutionary convergence in the functional strategies of information processing both by individual cells and by circuits. On the other hand, parallel evolution has resulted in avian pallium lacking the six-layer anatomical structure found in mammalian cortex and in the Aves having less extensive feedback between the primary sensory cortex and the thalamus.