Evolution of gustation

The evolutionary success of most mammalian species results in part from their ability to efficiently select nutrients in order to maintain energy, fluid and temperature homeostasis. It is shown that efficient ingestive behavior depends on several structures located in the mammalian cortex. Moreover, the anatomical and functional markers of these structures were largely conserved across different species. In particular, the mammalian gustatory cortex achieves integration of visceral, metabolic, olfactory, somatosensory and taste inputs in order to appropriately control feeding.