Neuroethology in South America: past, present and future

South America is a vast continent endowed with extraordinary biodiversity that offers abundant opportunities for neuroethological research. Although neuroethology is still emerging in the region, the number of research groups studying South American species to unveil the neural organization of natural behaviors has grown considerably during the last decade. In this Perspective, we provide an account of the roots and strategies that led to the present state of neuroethology in the Southern Cone of America, with a forwardlooking vision of its role in education and its international recognition. Hopefully, our Perspective will serve to further promote the study of natural behaviors across South America, as well as in other scarcely explored regions of the world.

Automated summary

This article presents the current state and development of neuroethology research in South America, as well as its importance in education and international recognition. Studying the neural mechanisms of South American species can enhance our understanding of natural behaviors and drive further research in the field.