Spatial distribution of a fusiform cell in the optic tectum of Pantodon buchholzi, the African butterfly fish (Teleostei, Osteoglossomorpha).
Pantodon buchholzi, the African butterfly fish, inhabits an ecological niche just below the water surface. At that position, each eye necessarily views into the air through the surface of the water and into the water. Since Pantodon is an obligatory surface feeder, the ventral retina viewing the aerial environment provides all visual information for prey acquisition. The visual pathway of this fish reflects the divided visual field with structural differences in the retina and brain corresponding to the different views. In this study, we describe a specific type of neuron in the tectum that, due to its intrinsic structure, likely integrates visual and mechanoreceptor inputs. Because of its spatial distribution, this type of neuron is a candidate as a basic element in a network involved with prey acquisition.
Department of Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA. saidel@camden.rutgers.edu
William M
WM
Saidel
Marek K
MK
Mandau
Paul T
PT
Haynes
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005399:Fishes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006054:Goldfish; D019044:Image Cytometry; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D016622:Silver Staining; D013045:Species Specificity; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*