Reptile brain atlases are few and far between, so I keep an ever-updating folder of all the reptile brain atlases I’ve come cross, as well as other papers that, while not true brain atlases, contain illustrations that I’ve found useful for figuring out reptile brain anatomy. I’ve listed them all below in case they can be of use to anyone else. Also, if you are reading this and know of an atlas not included below, please send it my way!
Digital 3D Brain Atlases
Swift Dragon (Ctenophorus modestus)
Hoops, D., Weng, H., Shahid, A., Skorzewski, P., Janke, A. L., Lerch, J. P., & Sled, J. G. (2021). A fully segmented 3D anatomical atlas of a lizard brain. Brain Structure and Function, 226(6), 1727-1741.
Download the atlas
Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Foss, K. D., Keller, K. A., Kehoe, S. P., & Sutton, B. P. (2022). Establishing an MRI-based protocol and atlas of the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) brain. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 886333.
Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
Billings, B. K., Behroozi, M., Helluy, X., Bhagwandin, A., Manger, P. R., Güntürkün, O., & Ströckens, F. (2020). A three-dimensional digital atlas of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) forebrain. Brain Structure and Function, 225(2), 683-703.
Printed 2D Brain Atlases
Whole Brain
Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrymemys picta picta)
Powers, A., & Reiner, A. (1980). A stereotaxic atlas of the forebrain and midbrain of the Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta). Journal für Hirnforschung, 21(2):125-59.
PDF of the atlas
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Lopez, K. H., Jones, R. E., Seufert, D. W., Rand, M. S., & Dores, R. M. (1992). Catecholaminergic cells and fibers in the brain of the lizard Anolis carolinensis identified by traditional as well as whole-mount immunohistochemistry. Cell and tissue research, 270(2), 319-337.
PDF of the atlas
Gold Tegu (Tupinambis nigropunctatus)
ten Donkelaar, H.J. (1998). Reptiles. In: The Central Nervous System of Vertebrates. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
PDF of the atlas
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
ten Donkelaar, H.J. (1998). Reptiles. In: The Central Nervous System of Vertebrates. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
PDF of the atlas
Swift Dragon (Ctenophorus modestus)
Hoops, D., Desfilis, E., Ullmann, J. F., Janke, A. L., Stait‐Gardner, T., Devenyi, G. A., ... & Keogh, J. S. (2018). A 3D MRI‐based atlas of a lizard brain. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 526(16), 2511-2547.
PDF of the atlas
Tenerife Lizard (Gallotia galloti)
Del Corral, J. M., Miralles, A., Nicolau, M. C., Planas, B., & Rial, R. V. (1990). Stereotaxic atlas for the lizard Gallotia galloti. Progress in neurobiology, 34(3), 185-196.
PDF of the atlas
Tenerife Lizard (Gallotia galloti)
Medina, L., Martí, E., Artero, C., Fasolo, A., & Puelles, L. (1992). Distribution of neuropeptide Y‐like immunoreactivity in the brain of the lizard Gallotia galloti. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 319(3), 387-405.
PDF of the atlas
Tenerife Lizard (Gallotia galloti)
Medina, L., Smeets, W. J., Hoogland, P. V., & Puelles, L. (1993). Distribution of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the brain of the lizard Gallotia galloti. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 331(2), 261-285.
PDF of the atlas
Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus sp.)
O’Connell, L. A., Matthews, B. J., Patel, S. B., O’Connell, J. D., & Crews, D. (2011). Molecular characterization and brain distribution of the progesterone receptor in whiptail lizards. General and comparative endocrinology, 171(1), 64-74.
PDF of the atlas
Telencephalon
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Ulinski, P. S., & Peterson, E. H. (1981). Patterns of olfactory projections in the desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Journal of Morphology, 168(2), 189-227.
PDF of the atlas
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Greenberg, N. (1982). A forebrain atlas and stereotaxic technique for the lizard, Anolis carolinensis. Journal of Morphology, 174(2), 217-236.
PDF of the atlas
Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Northcutt, R. G. (1967). Architectonic studies of the telencephalon of Iguana iguana. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 130(2), 109-147.
PDF of the atlas
Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)
Smeets, W. J., Hoogland, P. V., & Lohman, A. H. (1986). A forebrain atlas of the lizard Gekko gecko. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 254(1), 1-19.
PDF of the atlas
Diencephalon
Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
Butler, A. B., & Northcutt, R. G. (1973). Architectonic studies of the diencephalon of Iguana iguana (Linnaeus). Journal of Comparative Neurology, 149(4), 439-461.
PDF of the atlas
Gold Tegu (Tupinambis nigropunctatus)
Cruce, J. A. F. (1974). A cytoarchitectonic study of the diencephalon of the tegu lizard, Tupinambis nigropunctatus. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 153(3), 215-238.
PDF of the atlas
Hindbrain
Gold Tegu (Tupinambis nigropunctatus)
Cruce, W. L., & Newman, D. B. (1981). Brain stem origins of spinal projections in the lizard Tupinambis nigropunctatus. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 198(2), 185-207.
PDF of the atlas
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Gold Tegu (Tupinambis nigropunctatus), Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus), and Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
ten Donkelaar, H. J., & Nieuwenhuys, R. (1979). The brainstem. In: Biology of the Reptilia Volume 10: Neurology B. Academic Press, London, New York, San Francisco
PDF of the atlas
Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
ten Donkelaar, H. J., Bangma, G. C., Barbas-Henry, H. A., de Boer-van Huizen, R., & Wolters, J. G. (2012). The brain stem in a lizard, Varanus exanthematicus. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
PDF of the atlas
Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Wolters, J. G., Ten Donkelaar, H. J., & Verhofstad, A. A. J. (1984). Distribution of catecholamines in the brain stem and spinal cord of the lizard Varanus exanthematicus: an immunohistochemical study based on the use of antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase. Neuroscience, 13(2), 469-493.
PDF of the atlas
Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Wolters, J. G., Ten Donkelaar, H. J., Steinbusch, H. W. M., & Verhofstad, A. A. J. (1985). Distribution of serotonin in the brain stem and spinal cord of the lizard Varanus exanthematicus: an immunohistochemical study. Neuroscience, 14(1), 169-193.
PDF of the atlas
Neuromeric Domains
Algerian Wall Lizard (Psammodromus algirus)
Dávila, J. C., Guirado, S., & Puelles, L. (2000). Expression of calcium–binding proteins in the diencephalon of the lizard Psammodromus algirus. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 427(1), 67-92.
PDF of the atlas
Tenerife Lizard (Gallotia galloti)
Díaz, C., Yanes, C., Trujillo, C. M., & Puelles, L. (2000). Cytoarchitectonic subdivisions in the subtectal midbrain of the lizard Gallotia galloti. Journal of Neurocytology, 29(8), 569-593.
PDF of the atlas
Tenerife Lizard (Gallotia galloti)
Medina, L., Puelles, L., & Smeets, W. J. (1994). Development of catecholamine systems in the brain of the lizard Gallotia galloti. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 350(1), 41-62.
PDF of the atlas