How did brains develop in the aquatic environment? Despite Brazil’s vast biodiversity, the lack of comparative studies in neuroanatomy has limited a more systematic understanding of the morphology and evolution of the nervous system, especially in aquatic mammals such as cetaceans. In this context, the Brazilian Network of Neurobiodiversity was established—a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to collecting and analysing brains from these animals.

Using imaging and histology methods, we aim to investigate various complementary aspects of brain morphology to understand what factors contributed to diversity among groups. Currently, the Network includes over 50 specimens from 14 distinct research institutes. Compared with already available data from other groups, structural, volumetric, and histological analyses of this extensive collection will allow us to generate a more complete description of brain diversity in cetaceans and in mammals in general. The Network’s approach aims not only to broaden our understanding of neurobiodiversity but also to drive forward this line of research in the country.