title: A direct primary afferent projection of the trigeminal nerve to the valvula cerebelli in the spiny eel Macrognathus zebrinus.
abstract: This study is a re-examination of the direct primary sensory input to the valvula cerebelli in spiny eel. The valvula in Macrognathus zebrinus receives a primary afferent projection from the trigeminal nerve as revealed by injections of biotinylated dextran amines into the rostrum. The descending trigeminal nucleus and nucleus of the tractus solitarius are innervated as well. Injections with DiI into the valvula labeled fibers in the descending trigeminal nucleus. The projection of tactile information from the rostrum to the valvula may be an adaptation of food search for spiny eels in regard to their highly mobile rostrum.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: m.ch.schmidt@gmx.de.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Spiny eel; Tracer; Trigeminal nerve; Valvula cerebelli