Central Neural Systems Subserving a Homoplasous Periphery

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Abstract
Vertebrates display a variety of sensory and motor adaptations in addition to a set of generalized systems. In some cases functionally equivalent adaptations have evolved independently in one or more vertebrate lines. In each case the central nervous system (CNS) is remodeled to accommodate the peripheral change. In functionally equivalent, but independently derived, systems many of the CNS areas involved are homologous even when the peripheral adaptations are clearly homoplasous. The pattern of CNS remodeling reflects two pressures: the need for functionally equivalent peripheral systems to interface with equivalent central control centers and the interaction of a peripheral change with processes controlling neural development. These developmental processes allow peripheralperturbations to cause changes many synapses deep within the CNS while at the same time restricting the pattern of CNS remodeling.

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