Connections of the lateral cortex in the lizard Podarcis hispanica

Abstract

The connections of the lateral cortex of the lizard Podarcis hispanica have been traced using horseradish peroxidase transport techniques. After injections, restricted to the lateral cortex, labelled neurons can be observed bilaterally in the main olfactory bulbs and the diagonal band, contralaterally in the lateral cortex and ipsilaterally in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, the ventral amygdaloid nucleus and also in the area triangularis. An efferent has also been shown on the ipsilateral medial cortex. This pattern of connections supports the hypothesis that the reptilian lateral cortex is comparable to the entorhinal and piriform cortex of mammals.