The Mechanosensory Lateral Line System of the Hypogean form of Astyanax Fasciatus

The mechanosensory lateral line is a distributed, hair-cell based system which detects the water flow regime at the surface of the fish. Superficial neuromasts densely scattered over the surface of some cave fish detect the pattern of flow over the surface of the body and are important in rheotactic behaviors and perhaps in the localization of small vibrating sources. Canal neuromasts are very likely also involved in the detection of small planktonic prey, but seem also to play an essential role in replacing vision as the major sense by which blind cave-fish perceive their surroundings. The flow-field that exists around a gliding fish is perturbed by objects in the immediate vicinity, these perturbations are detected by the lateral line system. In this way the fish can build up a picture of its environment, a process that has been called active hydrodynamic imaging. None of the lateral line behaviors exhibited by blind cave fish are necessarily exclusive to these species, but there is some evidence that their lateral line capabilities are enhanced with respect to their sighted relatives.     

Organization and physiology of posterior lateral line afferent neurons in larval zebrafish

The lateral line system of larval zebrafish can translate hydrodynamic signals from the environment to guide body movements. Here, I demonstrate a spatial relationship between the organization of afferent neurons in the lateral line ganglion and the innervation of neuromasts along the body. I developed a whole cell patch clamp recording technique to show that afferents innervate multiple direction-sensitive neuromasts, which are sensitive to low fluid velocities. This work lays the foundation to integrate sensory neuroscience and the hydrodynamics of locomotion in a model genetic system.     

暗纹东方鲀侧线系统早期形态和生长发育

通过光镜和扫描电镜对暗纹东方鲀(Takifugu obscurus)的侧线系统进行形态学及组织学的研究。研究结果首次揭示了暗纹东方鲀侧线系统除了主侧线外还包括辅助侧线和辅助神经丘。主侧线分布主要包括眶上线、眶下线、耳后侧线、下颌线、前鳃盖线、上颞线、背侧线、腹侧线。辅助侧线和辅助神经丘分布主要包括口部辅助侧线、眶下辅助侧线、下颌前辅助侧线、下颌后辅助侧线、眶上后辅助侧线、上颞腹辅助神经丘、上颞背辅助神经丘、前鳃盖后辅助神经丘、背部辅助神经丘、尾部辅助神经丘。暗纹东方鲀侧线器官为接受机械刺激的神经丘,数目上千,神经丘分布在体表的凹槽里,且位于高低不同突起顶端。神经丘由套细胞、支持细胞和感觉毛细胞组成。感觉毛细胞呈圆形排列,并且每个细胞的游离面均有一根动纤毛和几十根静纤毛。据本研究对暗纹东方鲀侧线分布特征和神经丘的生长特征等的观察结果,认为尽管暗纹东方鲀侧线系统没有如其他真骨鱼类的管道系统,但是依然具有两套不同生理机能的机械感受系统,符合\"七管模式\"的主侧线神经丘与管道神经丘同源,而辅助侧线和辅助神经丘才是真正的表面神经丘。     

Locomotion of Gymnarchus Niloticus： Experiment and Kinematics

In addition to forward undulatory swimming, Gymnarchus niloticus can swim via undulations of the dorsal fin while the body axis remains straight; furthermore, it swims forward and backward in a similar way, which indicates that the undulation of the dorsal fin can simultaneously provide bidirectional propulsive and maneuvering forces with the help of the tail fin. A high-resolution Charge-Coupled Device （CCD） imaging camera system is used to record kinematics of steady swimming as well as maneuvering in G. niloticus. Based on experimental data, this paper discusses the kinematics （cruising speed, wave speed, cycle frequency, amplitude, lateral displacement） of forward as well as backward swimming and maneuvering. During forward swimming, the propulsive force is generated mainly by undulations of the dorsal fin while the body axis remains straight. The kinematic parameters （wave speed, wavelength, cycle frequency, amplitude） have statistically significant correlations with cruising speed. In addition, the yaw at the head is minimal during steady swimming. From experimental data, the maximal lateral displacement of head is not more than 1% of the body length, while the maximal lateral displacement of the whole body is not more than 5% of the body length. Another important feature is that G. niloticus swims backwards using an undulatory mechanism that resembles the forward undulatory swimming mechanism. In backward swimming, the increase of lateral displacement of the head is comparatively significant; the amplitude profiles of the propulsive wave along the dorsal fin are significantly different from those in forward swimming. When G. niloticus does fast maneuvering, its body is first bent into either a C shape or an S shape, then it is rapidly unwound in a travelling wave fashion. It rarely maneuvers without the help of the tail fin and body bending.     

Number and Distribution of Superficial Neuromasts in Twelve Common European Cypriniform Fishes and Their Relationship to Habitat Occurrence

This paper gives the first detailed data on the number and body part related distribution of superficial neuromasts in twelve common European Cypriniform species and examines whether such anatomical variables can be related to rough scale habitat occurrence. The fishes (Barbatula barbatula, Barbus barbus, Chondrostoma nasus, Cobitis taenia, Leuciscus cephalus, Leuciscus leuciscus, Phoxinus phoxinus, Rutilus rutilus, Rhodeus sericeus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Tinca tinca, Vimba vimba) were classified in two generalized ‘ecological guilds’, 1) rheophilic and 2) limnophilic or indifferent, based on literature data. The total number of superficial neuromasts was consistent within each species, but differed considerably between species. Lowest numbers of superficial neuromasts were found in Barbatula barbatula (21 ± 4.9 superficial neuromasts per cm body length) (mean ± SD), highest numbers in Vimba vimba (233 ± 36.1). Both species can be classified as rheophilic. Over all no relationship was found between the total number of superficial neuromasts and large scale habitat occurrence. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Organization of the superficial neuromast system in goldfish, Carassius auratus

Distribution, morphology, and orientation of superficial neuromasts and polarization of the hair cells within superficial neuromasts of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) were examined using fluorescence labeling and scanning electron microscopy. On each body side, goldfish have 1,800-2,000 superficial neuromasts distributed across the head, trunk and tail fin. Each superficial neuromast had about 14-32 hair cells that were arranged in the sensory epithelium with the axis of best sensitivity aligned perpendicular to the long axis of the neuromast. Hair cell polarization was rostro-caudal in most superficial neuromasts on trunk scales (with the exception of those on the lateral line scales), or on the tail fin. On lateral line scales, the most frequent hair cell polarization was dorso-ventral in 45% and rostro-caudal in 20% of the superficial neuromasts. On individual trunk scales, superficial neuromasts were organized in rows which in most scales showed similar orientations with angle deviations smaller than 45 degrees . In about 16% of all trunk scales, groups of superficial neuromasts in the dorsal and ventral half of the scale were oriented orthogonal to each other. On the head, most superficial neuromasts were arranged in rows or groups of similar orientation with angle deviations smaller than 45 degrees . Neighboring groups of superficial neuromasts could differ with respect to their orientation. The most frequent hair cell polarization was dorso-ventral in front of the eyes and on the ventral mandible and rostro-caudal below the eye and on the operculum.     

Orientation and Navigation in Elasmobranchs: Which Way Forward?

Elasmobranchs possess a multiplicity of mechanisms controlling posture and short distance orientation. Visual–vestibular contributions to posture and locomotion are well documented. So too, are the contributions of vision, olfaction and the octavolateralis senses to short distance orientation, particularly orientation to specific environmental stimuli such as those generated by prey. Less well understood are the mechanisms guiding orientation over longer distances. Anecdotal and systematic observations of behaviour show tidal, daily, repeat long distance, and even seasonal movement patterns. True navigation has not been demonstrated in elasmobranchs and the sensory mechanisms underlying the above movement patterns remain largely speculative. However, they are likely to include responses to water currents, and physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, and the geomagnetic field. Of particular interest in elasmobranchs is that geomagnetic orientation could be mediated directly via a magnetite based sensory system, or indirectly via the electrosensory system. Systematic studies of movement patterns and experimental studies of the underlying mechanisms of orientation are required to gain an increased understanding of orientation and navigation in this intriguing group.