Humpback dolphins have human-like brain cells

Scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA) say they have found humpback dolphins have a type of brain cell also found in the human brain and large apes.

This type of cell is called a spinal neuron in the cerebral cortex. The function of these neurons - still not fully explored - may be related to cognitive functions such as learning, remembering and perceiving the world around them.

This finding may help explain some of the behaviors seen in whales, such as complex communication skills, the formation of ' alliances ', cooperation, cultural communication, .

According to the researchers, the early spinal cord neurons may appear in the ancestors of human relatives, humans and large apes monkeys about 15 million years ago. They have not been seen in smaller apes or monkeys.

In marine mammals, they evolved earlier, maybe 30 million years ago. This new study shows that some marine mammals and their animal relatives may have evolved together.

A humpback dolphin was found dead on the coast of Lombardsijde
near Nieuwpoort (Belgium) on March 5, 2006 (Photo: TTO)

WALL VY