Central projections of the lagena (the third otolith endorgan of the inner ear) in the pigeon

Central projections of the lagena were studied in the pigeon using transport of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) that was locally applied to the lagenar epithelium through the opened cochlear canal. Descending (dorsocaudal part) and superior (middle part) vestibular nuclei were the main rhombencephalon structures with the maximum density of labeled fibers and terminals. Lesser numbers of labeled fibers were observed in the ventral part of the lateral vestibular nucleus and also in the medial vestibular nucleus; single labeled fibers were found in the cochlear nuclei. In the cases where BDA diffused not only in the lagena but also on the basilar papilla after application of the marker to the cochlear canal, considerable numbers of labeled fibers were observed in the cochlear nuclei; apart from this, the pattern of distribution of labeled fibers in the vestibular nuclei did not differ in general from that described above (in the case of a sufficiently local application of BDA only to the lagena). Efferent lagenar neurons were localized ventrally with respect to the vestibular nuclei, in particular in the nucl. reticularis pontis caudalis. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 199–210, May–June, 2008.     

Bony labyrinth morphometry indicates locomotor adaptations in the squirrel-related clade (Rodentia,Mammalia)

The semicircular canals (SCs) of the inner ear detect angular acceleration and are located in the bony labyrinth of the petrosal bone. Based on high-resolution computed tomography, we created a size-independent database of the bony labyrinth of 50 mammalian species especially rodents of the squirrel-related clade comprising taxa with fossorial, arboreal and gliding adaptations. Our sampling also includes gliding marsupials, actively flying bats, the arboreal tree shrew and subterranean species. The morphometric anatomy of the SCs was correlated to the locomotion mode. Even if the phylogenetic signal cannot entirely be excluded, the main significance for functional morphological studies has been found in the diameter of the SCs, whereas the radius of curvature is of minor interest. Additionally, we found clear differences in the bias angle of the canals between subterranean and gliding taxa, but also between sciurids and glirids. The sensitivity of the inner ear correlates with the locomotion mode, with a higher sensitivity of the SCs in fossorial species than in flying taxa. We conclude that the inner ear of flying and gliding mammals is less sensitive due to the large information flow into this sense organ during locomotion.     

Validation of annual growth bands in the otolith of tropical parrotfishes (Scarus schlegeli Bleeker)

The otoliths of the scarid Scarus schlegeli (Bleeker) from the Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef showed a series of clear periodic bands. The rate at which bands are deposited on the otoliths was distinguished by mark-recapture experiments using tetracycline and marginal increment analysis. Mark-recapture experiments were carried out both in the field and in a large aquarium system. One otolith band was deposited during the liberty periods of July 1990 to April and September 1991 while two similar bands were formed from November 1989 to February 1991. The marginal increment analysis indicated that annual bands were formed around the austral summer. Scales also displayed regular period check marks. These provided relatively reliable aging estimates for the younger fishes up to 5 years.     

The use of otolith shape and chemistry to determine stock structure of Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner)

Otolith shape and chemistry of Mediterranean horse mackerel Trachurus mediterraneus were simultaneously used to assess the feasibility of using these natural tags to discriminate populations throughout the Black, Marmara, Aegean and eastern Mediterranean Seas. Otolith shape and chemistry analyses showed a similar pattern of differentiation between T. mediterraneus stocks, revealing a clear discreteness of the middle Black Sea (Sinop) and Aegean Sea (Izmir) samples. Otolith upper side length and width, and Na, K, Mg and Ba, were the morphological traits and trace elements, respectively, differing most among groups. Overall assignment of individuals into their original sample was high for both otolith shape and chemistry. Highest reclassification rate was observed for the south-middle Black Sea and Aegean Sea samples for both analyses. Hierarchical cluster analyses also supported high differentiation of the south-middle Black Sea and Aegean Sea samples for both analyses. Mantel's test revealed that the Euclidean distance both for otolith shape ( r =−0·0917, P > 0·05) and chemistry ( r =−0·1248, P > 0·05) between these populations were not significantly associated with their geographical distances.     

A Putative Mechanism for Magnetoreception by Electromagnetic Induction in the Pigeon Inner Ear

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脊椎动物脑发育中糖皮质激素受体功能的研究进展

糖皮质激素受体（glucocorticoid reccptor,GR）广泛分布在脊椎动物中枢神经系统的多个组织区域中,而且结构及功能保守。在与激素结合的状态下,受体能够特异性地与靶基因的启动子结合影响基因的表达,或通过激活G蛋白偶联的信号途径引起神经递质的释放。外界环境刺激和外源糖皮质激素暴露都能改变GR在脑中的表达,并对神经的发育及功能产生影响,同时也对学习、记忆以及情感等高级神经活动和行为起到重要的作用。该文对脊椎动物糖皮质激素受体的结构和在脑中的分布,以及对神经发育和功能的影响及其中的分子机制的最新研究进展进行综述。     

茜素络合物对唐鱼耳石标记效果以及生长和存活率的影响

用茜素络合物(ALC)对唐鱼(Tanichthys albonubes)进行荧光标记,通过测定唐鱼耳石的标记率、死亡率、SGR和DWG等指标,讨论不同浓度ALC对唐鱼耳石标记效果和对其生长和存活的影响,探讨应用该标记技术追踪唐鱼野外种群迁移行为的可行性。结果表明:在温度28~30℃,浓度50 mg·L-1、80 mg·L-1茜素络合物溶液中浸泡24 h,唐鱼仔鱼、稚鱼死亡率为0,其中80 mg·L-1浓度处理组耳石荧光标记环检出率为100%,而在100mg·L-1浓度下,仔、稚鱼死亡率均达到80%;幼鱼在浓度为80、100 mg·L-1条件下无死亡,其中100 mg·L-1浓度处理组耳石标记环检出率为100%,而150 mg·L-1浓度下幼鱼死亡率为44%;成鱼在100、150 mg·L-1浓度下无死亡,且耳石标记率均为100%,而在200mg·L-1浓度下成鱼死亡率达到100%;此外,稚鱼在80 mg·L-1最适浓度下浸泡24 h后继续饲养90 d,标记组和对照组死亡率均为0,两组体质量、SGR和DWG差异不显著;唐鱼仔稚鱼、幼鱼和成鱼耳石标记的最适茜素络合物浓度分别为80、100和150 mg·L-1。     

Intrastream variation in growth rates and time of first otolith increment formation for young of the year Etheostoma simoterum (Cope) (Perciformes: Percidae)

Growth rates and otolith-estimated hatching dates of young of the year Etheostoma simoterum were studied at four localities along an elevational gradient in the Little River, Tennessee, U.S.A. during the summer of 1983. Changes in otolith increment width and mean daily air temperature corresponded well with each other, suggesting that increments were laid down daily. Growth rate increased nearly threefold from the highest elevation site to the lowest. Median otolith-estimated hatching dates differed by about 2 weeks between sites, and the pattern was not directly related to elevation. These data indicate that within-stream, life-history variation of a broadly distributed species should be taken into consideration when studying factors regulating stream fish populations along elevational gradients.     

Notch signalling and the control of cell fate choices in vertebrates

Signals delivered via Notch and its ligands Delta and Serrate control developmental choices made by individual cells according to the states of their immediate neighbours. Lateral inhibition mediated by Notch governs neurogenesis. In the inner ear, it generates fine-grained patterns of contrasting cell types. In stem-cell systems, it may regulate the decision to differentiate. Notch signalling can create specialised cells at gene expression boundaries, as at the limb-bud apex. It is crucial for segmentation of the mesoderm into somites, for development of skin appendages, and for many other functions that we do not yet understand.     

Acoustic communication and burrow acoustics are reflected in the ear morphology of the coruro (Spalacopus cyanus, Octodontidae), a social fossorial rodent

We studied the middle and inner ears of seven adult coruros (Spalacopus cyanus), subterranean and social rodents from central Chile, using free-hand dissection and routine staining techniques. Middle ear parameters that were focused on here (enlarged bullae and eardrums, ossicles of the "freely mobile type") are believed to enhance hearing sensitivity at lower frequencies. The organ of Corti was of a common mammalian type and revealed three peaks of higher inner hair cell densities. Based on a position frequency map, frequencies were assigned to the respective peaks along the basilar membrane. The first peak at around 300-400 Hz is discussed with respect to the burrow acoustics, while the peak around 10-20 kHz is probably a plesiomorphic feature. The most pronounced peak at around 2 kHz reflects the frequency at which the main energy of vocal communication occurs. The morphology of the ear of the coruro corresponds to the typical pattern seen in subterranean rodents (low frequency and low-sensitivity hearers), yet, at the same time, it also deviates from it in several functionally relevant features.     

Morphological and physiological differences of the auditory system in three related bushcrickets (Orthoptera: Phaneropteridae, Poecilimon)

Abstract. The auditory system of three closely related bushcrickets was investigated with respect to morphological and physiological differences. The size of the acoustic vesicle in the prothorax cavity and the size of the acoustic spiracle were compared to differences in auditory tuning of the tympanic nerve and differences in the directionality. The results indicate that a small auditory vesicle and auditory spiracle provide reduced sensitivity in the high frequency range (above 10—15 kHz), but increase sensitivity at low frequencies (below 10 kHz). The directionality of the hearing system deteriorates at frequencies between 10 and 25 kHz in species with a small spiracle and trachea. The evolutionary implications of these differences of the auditory systems are discussed. They are considered to be influenced more by ecological factors than bioacoustical ones.     

Limits for the detection of daily otolith increments in whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) larvae

The formation of daily otolith increments in European lake white-fish was evaluated in the laboratory during 40 days at 4, 6, and 8 °C under limited and ad libitum food supply. Daily increments were easily identified in larvae reared at 8 °C. At 6 °C and, more, at 4 °C, an unstructured perinuclear zone was formed, and daily increments could only be recognized in the light microscope starting from 10 to 35 days after hatching. In some larvae from the 4 °C groups, no increments at all were found. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) could not improve increment resolution. Only those increments could be viewed by SEM which were visible in the light microscope as well. We conclude that whitefish larvae which experience low (4–6 °C) temperatures during their first weeks of life, hence those which hatch in the lake, cannot be aged by the currently employed preparation techniques.     

雌激素及其受体在内耳发育和功能上的作用

雌激素在生殖系统、认知记忆系统、骨骼和神经的发育及其功能维持等多种生理功能中扮演了重要的作用。近年来,在内耳发育及其功能研究过程中,许多学者发现在听力和平衡系统功能上的性别差异可能归根因于不同性别的雌激素水平差异。这些研究表明,雌激素及其受体在内耳发育、听力和平衡系统功能维持上也具有重要作用。该文用一个新的视角聚焦于雌激素及其受体在内耳发育和功能上的研究进展。该综述能为进一步研究雌激素在听力和平衡系统中的作用机制及相关疾病的临床治疗提供参考。     

Greater epithelial ridge cells are the principal organoid-forming progenitors of the mouse cochlea

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Temperature effects on the incorporation of strontium in otolith of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

The effects of temperature on somatic and otolith growth and the incorporation of strontium in otolith of the Japanese eel, were studied in laboratory-reared and field-caught eels. The somatic and otolith growth rates of the eel increased significantly with temperature and were estimated as approximately 0·096 mm t.l, (P<0·01) and 0·36 μm in otolith diameter per degree-day (0·01相似文献   

Existence of manserin, a secretogranin II-derived neuropeptide, in the rat inner ear: relevance to modulation of auditory and vestibular system

Manserin is a 40-amino acid neuropeptide derived from rat brain. Manserin has been shown to distribute in the neuroendocrine system, such as the pituitary and adrenal glands, but it has been little studied in other organs. In this study, the authors examined localization of manserin in the inner ear of the adult Wistar rat using immunohistochemical analyses. Manserin immunoreactivity was detected in the neuronal terminals of the organ of Corti and type II spiral ganglion cells. In addition to being identified in the auditory system, manserin was detected at the synapses of the vestibular system, such as saccule, utricle, and semicircular canal. These results suggest that inner ear manserin may be involved in the function of peripheral auditory and vestibular systems.     

Sense organs in polychaetes (Annelida)

Polychaetes possess a wide range of sensory structures. These form sense organs of several kinds, including the appendages of the head region (palps, antennae, tentacular cirri), the appendages of the trunk region and pygidium (parapodial and pygidial cirri), the nuchal organs, the dorsal organs, the lateral organs, the eyes, the photoreceptor-like sense organs, the statocysts, various kinds of pharyngeal papillae as well as structurally peculiar sensory organs of still unknown function and the apical organs of trochophore larvae. Moreover, isolated or clustered sensory cells not obviously associated with other cell types are distributed all over the body. Whereas nuchal organs are typical for polychaetes and are lacking only in a few species, all other kinds of sensory organs are restricted to certain groups of taxa or species. Some have only been described in single species till now. Sensory cells are generally bipolar sensory cells and their cell bodies are either located peripherally within the epidermis or within the central nervous system. These sensory cells are usually ciliated and different types can be disinguished. Structure, function and phylogenetic importance of the sensory structures observed in polychaetes so far are reviewed. For evaluation of the relationships of the higher taxa in Annelida palps, nuchal organs and pigmented ocelli appear to be of special importance.     

Ossom's Eyrie Gave: an archaeological contribution to the recent history of vertebrates in Britain

Ossom's Eyrie Cave, a small cave in the face of a limestone cliff, has yielded an extensive vertebrate fauna which documents important changes over the last 2000 years. There seem to be three major contributions to the fauna. A short-lived Romano-British occupation provides dating evidence for the lower levels, and may have contributed a few bones of larger species (sheep/goat, pig, fowl). A golden eagle nested on the cave ledge at a later time, and brought as food medium to large birds and mammals, including black grouse, raven, polecat, pine marten, juvenile fox, badger, roe deer and wild boar. Many of these species are locally extinct. There is an extensive small mammal fauna of over 4200 individuals, which occurs throughout the deposits and dominates the top layers representing the diet of a barn owl. Important changes in this fauna include the sudden decline of the water vole from around 7% in the earlier layers to less than 1% in the top layers and the disappearance of the dormouse.     

The olfactory receptor gene repertoires in secondary-adapted marine vertebrates: evidence for reduction of the functional proportions in cetaceans

An olfactory receptor (OR) multigene family is responsible for the well-developed sense of smell possessed by terrestrial tetrapods. Mammalian OR genes had diverged greatly in the terrestrial environment after the fish-tetrapod split, indicating their importance to land habitation. In this study, we analysed OR genes of marine tetrapods (minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima, Dall's porpoise Phocoenoides dalli, Steller's sea lion Eumetopias jubatus and loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta) and revealed that the pseudogene proportions of OR gene repertoires in whales were significantly higher than those in their terrestrial relative cattle and also in sea lion and sea turtle. On the other hand, the pseudogene proportion of OR sequences in sea lion was not significantly higher compared with that in their terrestrial relative (dog). It indicates that secondary perfectly adapted marine vertebrates (cetaceans) have lost large amount of their OR genes, whereas secondary-semi-adapted marine vertebrates (sea lions and sea turtles) still have maintained their OR genes, reflecting the importance of terrestrial environment for these animals.