Primary Visual Cortex in the Brushtailed Possum: Receptive Field Properties and Corticocortical Connections

Citations Over Time

Abstract

The corticocortical connections and receptive field properties of primary or striate visual cortex of the brushtailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, have been examined. In this Australian marsupial species primary visual cortex has connections with four other visual areas in the occipital lobe. In these adjacent visual areas fibers from striate cortex terminate mainly in layers 3 and 4 and in some cases also in layers 1 and 2. In all four areas return connections to striate cortex originate predominantly in layers 2 and 3, and to a much lesser extent in layers 5 and 6. Interhemispheric connections of striate cortex are limited to the boundary of striate and peristriate cortex. In addition to its cortical connections, striate cortex makes reciprocal connections with the claustrum. Most neurons in striate cortex are highly binocular. Of our sample of 113 visually responsive neurons, only 30% were orientation selective. On the basis of these observations we have compared striate cortex of the marsupial brushtailed possum with striate cortices of the American marsupial opossum and those of placental mammals.

Related Papers

• → Afferent basis of visual response properties in area MT of the macaque. I. Effects of striate cortex removal(1989)328 cited
• → Receptive field classes of cells in the striate cortex of the cat(1977)206 cited
• → Disparity sensitivity and receptive field incongruity of units in the cat striate cortex(1978)95 cited
• → Selective Visual Experience Fails to Modify Receptive Field Properties of Rabbit Striate Cortex Neurons(1973)47 cited
• Interocular comparisons of receptive field characteristics of binocular neurones in cat striate cortex.(1994)