Origin and evolution of the vertebrate telencephalon, with special reference to the mammalian neocortex

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The vertebrate brain is the most complex structure known, raising questions about its origins. How could such complexity arise from simple multicellular animals? This problem has been central to evolutionary biology since its inception. Darwin proposed natural selection as a mechanism for species transformation, including human origins, yet he sometimes expressed doubts about the emergence of highly complex structures. This debate continues both in scientific circles and beyond, with the resurgence of the intelligent design argument, which echoes Paley’s assertion that complex objects imply a conscious designer. Modern proponents, such as creationists, have adapted this argument, suggesting that the complexity of the human genome indicates design rather than random evolution. For instance, a top computer scientist from Celera Genomics noted that the genome's complexity suggested a form of intelligence, distancing the idea from traditional religious interpretations. This volume aims to explore the origins and evolution of the vertebrate brain, tracing a path from the simplest nervous system elements observed in nature to the intricate neuronal networks of the mammalian cerebral cortex, thereby establishing a continuity in brain development.