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A cytoarchitectonic study of the hypothalamus of the lizard, Calotes versicolor

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Summary

The hypothalamic nuclei of the lizard, Calotes versicolor, can be broadly divided into ‘AF-positive’ Footnote 1 and ‘AF-negative’. The AF-positive cell complexes include the nucleus supraopticus, nucleus paraventricularis, and a few interconnecting bridge cells. In addition, some AF-positive neurones are also observed in the median eminence. As many as 15 AF-negative nuclei-like accumulations of nerve cells can be identified in the hypothalamus. The nucleus periventricularis hypothalami of earlier authors is subdivided into eight circumscribed neuronal complexes. In addition, a few AF-negative nuclei, e.g. nucleus subfornicalis, nucleus ventralis tuberis, nucleus med. recessus infundibuli, nucleus lat. recessus infundibuli and nucleus praemamillaris, are regarded for the first time as anatomical entities. The distribution of the hypothalamic nuclei and their cytoarchitectonic features are described at the light microscopical level. An attempt has been made to interprete the nuclei identified in the present study on a comparative and phylogenetic basis.

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Notes

  1. Selectively stainable with paraldehyde fuchsin and other dyes of the Gomori type

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Nagpur University, Nagpur, India

    P. D. Prasada Rao

  2. Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany

    P. D. Prasada Rao

  3. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagpur University, Nagpur, India

    Nishikant Subhedar

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  1. P. D. Prasada Rao
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  2. Nishikant Subhedar
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Dedicated to Professors W. Bargmann and B. Scharrer, the pioneers of neuroendocrinology, on the occasion of their birthday anniversaries

Supported in part by research grant [No. F. 30-4 (6431)/76(SR-II)] by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India. The facilities provided by Dr. V. K. Thakare are hereby acknowledged

Former scholar of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stuftung (1973–1975), Federal Republic of Germany. The present study was initiated by Professor A. Oksche, Department of Anatomy and Cytobiology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen

The facilities provided by Dr. A.K. Dorle are gratefully acknowledged

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Rao, P.D.P., Subhedar, N. A cytoarchitectonic study of the hypothalamus of the lizard, Calotes versicolor . Cell Tissue Res. 180, 63–85 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227030

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