The presence of two populations of sensory-type cells in the pineal organ of the five-bearded rockling,Ciliata mustela L. (Teleostei)

The pineal organ of the five-bearded rockling, Ciliata mustela L., was examined by means of electron microscopy. Two categories of sensory cells are described: 1) Sensory cells 1 (or photoreceptor cells sensu stricto) showing the characteristic ultrastructure of photoreceptor cells with a well-developed receptor pole (outer segment) and a transmitter pole (ribbon-type synapse in the basal pedicle contacting dendritic processes), and a segmental organization of organelles. 2) Sensory cells 2 (or photoneuroendocrine cells) displaying no particular segmentation. The ultrastructure of the receptor pole (outer segment) is variable in shape (with either long or short disks) and in the number of disks; some outer segments are simple cilia of the 9 + 0 type. This second cell category is rich in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, beta-particles of glycogen, dense inclusions of variable size and content, and dense-core vesicles 130 nm in diameter. These cells have an extended contact area with the perivascular space. The functional significance of both cell categories is discussed in terms of the known physiological responses of the pineal organ. A possible confusion in identification of interstitial cells and neuroendocrine cells in some teleost species is discussed.