Ethologically Relevant Movements Mapped on the Motor Cortex

This chapter reviews evidence that motor cortex in primates is not organized according to topographic maps related to the body surface, but is organized according to speciestypical motor behavior. Microstimulation with behaviorally relevant time courses evokes basic movements such as bringing food to the mouth, climbing, or defensive responses. It is argued that primate motor cortex serves as an interface functionally specialized for producing species-typical actions.