Morphocytochemical Analysis of Neuron Populations in the Ganglion Layer of the Cerebellar Cortex of Birds and Mammals Living in Similar Habitats

Abstract

The neuron populations in the ganglion layer of the cerebellar cortex of birds and mammals living in similar habitats, i.e., the common squirrel and the house sparrow (Sciurus vulgaris and Passer domesticus), living in an air/land habitat, and the swamp beaver (nutria) and domestic goose (Myocastor coypus and Anser domesticus), living in an earth-water habitat, were studied. Morphocytochemical measures were assessed, i.e., the density of Purkinje cells per unit gyrus length and their sizes, staining properties, and protein contents, for neuron populations in the ganglion layer. Assessment of the staining properties of neurons revealed general features in the organization of the ganglion layer of the cerebellum of vertebrates; assessment of protein contents demonstrated specific features typical for particular classes independently of the animals' habitats.