Tiliqua scincoides : Temperature-Sensitive Units in Lizard Brain

Abstract

Extracellular action potentials were recorded from units in the preoptic area of the brain of the Australian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) during periods of local heating and cooling of the brain (20° to 36°C) with water-perfused thermodes. In this temperature range most spontaneously firing neurons were temperature-insensitive, but eight showed sensitivity to the thermal stimulus. Five warm neurons increased their activity when the brain temperature was raised, and three cold neurons showed increased activity with fall in temperature.