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Neuroethological Analysis of the Innate Releasing Mechanism for Prey-Catching Behavior in Toads

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Advances in Vertebrate Neuroethology

Abstract

The ontogeny of amphibians to some extent resembles the transition of vertebrates from an aquatic to a terrestrial life during early evolutionary history. These animals provide some of the classical preparations in research of the relationship between structure and function. Studies of nerve conduction, neuromuscular transmission, neural integration, sense organs, development, regeneration, and functional plasticity — to cite a few examples from neurobiological research — have been obtained in great detail in the frog and provide one of the most complete descriptions of a vertebrate nervous system (Llinas and Precht, 1976). On the basis of those studies concepts have been developed with regard to our understanding of comparable functions at higher levels of differentiation and integration in vertebrates with a more complex organization.

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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

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Ewert, JP., Burghagen, H., Schürg-Pfeiffer, E. (1983). Neuroethological Analysis of the Innate Releasing Mechanism for Prey-Catching Behavior in Toads. In: Ewert, JP., Capranica, R.R., Ingle, D.J. (eds) Advances in Vertebrate Neuroethology. NATO Advanced Science Institutes Series, vol 56. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4412-4_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4412-4_21

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