Neurogenic development of the visual areas in the Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) and evolutionary implications.

To characterize the neurogenic development of the visual areas of the turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) during embryogenesis, a single dose of [(3)H]-thymidine (10 microCi) was injected into egg yolks from stages S11-12 to S21. At hatching, localization of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation was examined, and led to three main observations. (1) Neurogenesis occurred in the stratum griseum centrale of the tectum opticum from S11-12 to S16 with a peak at S12. No obvious gradients of neurogenesis were observed. (2) Neurogenesis in the nucleus rotundus (Rot) and in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (GLd) occurred from S11-12 to S15. Gradients of neurogenesis were detected along ventral-dorsal and lateral-medial axes in the Rot, but only the latter neurogenic gradient occurred in the GLd. (3) In the visual region of the dorsal ventricular ridge, neurogenesis lasted from S11-12 to S16. Similarly, neurogenesis occurred from S11-12 to S16-17 in the dorsal cortex, with a peak at S12 for both telencephalic visual regions. Neurogenesis followed a ventrolateral to dorsomedial gradient in the visual region of the dorsal ventricular ridge, and a superficial to deep gradient in the caudal dorsal cortex. A significant number of neurons in the rostral dorsal cortex followed a deep (earlier arising) to superficial (later arising) pattern of neurogenesis, similar to that in the avian Wulst or in the mammalian isocortex. Finally, we compared the timing and development of neurogenesis in the turtle with birds and mammals to understand the evolutionary implications of these processes.