Evolution of Abilities to Regenerate Neurons in Central Nervous Systems

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Abstract
Several hypotheses were presented to account for the differential distribution of tissue regeneration in metazoans. The influence of the environmental conditions of the species habitat and the possible contribution of regeneration to reproductive efficiency have been suggested to play a major determinant in the selection for regeneration. Physiological and anatomical adaptations may contribute to the evolution of specific regenerative mechanisms in a given species. Evidence which suggests that an ability to add neurons to normal central nervous systems in reproductively competent metazoans is a major influence in the evolution of an ability to regenerate ablated neurons is presented.