Brain and Sensory Systems in Non-Avian Reptiles
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Herpetology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 34
Special Issue Editors
Interests: vibration processing; reptile sensory biology; neurophysiology; comparative neuroanatomy
Interests: neurophysiology; sensory ecology; auditory evolution; morphometric analysis; bioacoustics; auditory evoked potentials; X-ray computed tomography
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
From the specialized pit organ that allows infrared detection in pit vipers to the vibration-sensitive integumentary cells that enable alligators to sense minute water disturbances, non-avian reptiles exhibit extraordinary sensory adaptations that have long fascinated both scientists and the public. Reptiles also occupy a unique phylogenetic position, have colonized diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and serve as valuable models for understanding how the brains of land vertebrates evolved. However, compared to birds and mammals, the brain of reptiles remains far less explored.
This Special Issue aims to highlight current advances in our understanding of the brains and sensory systems of non-avian reptiles. The topics of interest include aspects of their neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, brain development, brain–body allometry, and ethology. Studies integrating multiple approaches are especially encouraged.
By bringing together these diverse perspectives, this collection seeks to emphasize non-avian reptiles as key comparative models for studying brain evolution and as important contributors to our broader understanding of neurobiology.
Dr. Dawei Han
Dr. Grace Capshaw
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- lizards
- turtles
- alligators
- reptiles
- snakes
- sensory systems
- brain
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