Electroreception in the euryhaline stingray, <i>Dasyatis sabina</i>

McGowan, David W.; Kajiura, Stephen M.

doi:10.1242/jeb.025247

Cited by 37 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(44 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The electrosensory systems of euryhaline elasmobranchs, like the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas, the stingray Dasyatis sabina, the estuarine whipray Himantura dalyensis , and all pristid sawfishes, resemble those of their marine relatives, with long ampullary canals and macroampullae [Whitehead, 2002;McGowan and Kajiura, 2009;Marzullo et al, 2011;Wueringer et al, 2011]. In saltwater, these animals display reaction thresholds, which are as low as those of their marine relatives [McGowan and Kajiura, 2009;Wueringer et al, 2012].…”

Section: Ecological Adaptations Of Electroreceptorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroreception in Elasmobranchs: Sawfish as a Case Study

Wueringer¹

2012

Brain Behav Evol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ampullae of Lorenzini are the electroreceptors of elasmobranchs. Ampullary pores located in the elasmobranch skin are each connected to a gel-filled canal that ends in an ampullary bulb, in which the sensory epithelium is located. Each ampulla functions as an independent receptor that measures the potential difference between the ampullary pore opening and the body interior. In the elasmobranch head, the ampullary bulbs of different ampullae are aggregated in 3–6 bilaterally symmetric clusters, which can be surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. Each cluster is innervated by one branch of the anterior lateral line nerve (ALLN). Only the dorsal root of the ALLN carries electrosensory fibers, which terminate in the dorsal octavo-lateral nucleus (DON) of the medulla. Each ampullary cluster projects into a distinctive area in the central zone of the DON, where projection areas are somatotopically arranged. Sharks and rays can possess thousands of ampullae. Amongst other functions, the use of electroreception during prey localization is well documented. The distribution of ampullary pores in the skin of elasmobranchs is influenced by both the phylogeny and ecology of a species. Pores are grouped in distinct pore fields, which remain recognizable amongst related taxa. However, the density of pores within a pore field, which determines the electroreceptive resolution, is influenced by the ecology of a species. Here, I compare the pore counts per pore field between rhinobatids (shovelnose rays) and pristids (sawfish). In both groups, the number of ampullary pores on the ventral side of the rostrum is similar, even though the pristid rostrum can comprise about 20% of the total length. Ampullary pore numbers in pristids are increased on the upper side of the rostrum, which can be related to a feeding strategy that targets free-swimming prey in the water column. Shovelnose rays pin their prey onto the substrate with their disk, while repositioning their mouth for ingestion and thus possess large numbers of pores ventrally around the mouth and in the area between the gills.

show abstract

Section: Ecological Adaptations Of Electroreceptorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroreception in Elasmobranchs: Sawfish as a Case Study

Wueringer¹

2012

Brain Behav Evol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, the skin resistance in marine species is lower than in freshwater species, making them more prone to being invaded by large, external electrical fields (Szabo et al 1972;Raschi et al 1997;McGowan and Kajiura 2009). This results in a small voltage differential across the skin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This results in a small voltage differential across the skin. Consequently, long canals aid in increasing sensitivity, thus enabling the sensory cells to adequately measure the potential difference between the pore and the internal ampullary ending (Raschi et al 1997;McGowan and Kajiura 2009). In contrast, the comparatively high skin resistance of freshwater species results in weak voltage potentials invading the body tissue (Raschi et al 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Description of the mechanoreceptive lateral line and electroreceptive ampullary systems in the freshwater whipray, Himantura dalyensis

Marzullo

Wueringer

Squire

et al. 2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Mechanoreceptive and electroreceptive anatomical specialisations in freshwater elasmobranch fishes are largely unknown. The freshwater whipray, Himantura dalyensis, is one of a few Australian elasmobranch species that occur in low salinity (oligohaline) environments. The distribution and morphology of the mechanoreceptive lateral line and the electroreceptive ampullae of Lorenzini were investigated by dissection and compared with previous studies on related species. The distribution of the pit organs resembles that of a marine ray, Dasyatis sabina, although their orientation differs. The lateral line canals of H. dalyensis are distributed similarly compared with two marine relatives, H. gerrardi and D. sabina. However, convolutions of the ventral canals and proliferations of the infraorbital canal are more extensive in H. dalyensis than H. gerrardi. The intricate nature of the ventral, non-pored canals suggests a mechanotactile function, as previously demonstrated in D. sabina. The ampullary system of H. dalyensis is not typical of an obligate freshwater elasmobranch (i.e. H. signifer), and its morphology and pore distribution resembles those of marine dasyatids. These results suggest that H. dalyensis is euryhaline, with sensory systems adapted similarly to those described in marine and estuarine species.Additional keywords: ampullae of Lorenzini, Himantura polylepis, mechanosensory lateral line, pit organs.

show abstract

“…tuning of visual pigments [Davies et al, 2009[Davies et al, , 2012 and behavior, i.e. visual capabilities [Van-Eyk et al, 2011], and establishing sensitivity thresholds to weak electric fields [Kalmijn, 1974[Kalmijn, , 1982Tricas et al, 1995;Kajiura and Holland, 2002;Kajiura, 2003;Peters et al, 2007;McGowan and Kajiura, 2009;Wueringer et al, 2012].…”

Section: Technical Challenges In Solving Neuroecological Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Neuroecology of Cartilaginous Fishes: Sensory Strategies for Survival

Collin¹

2012

Brain Behav Evol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As apex predators, chondrichthyans, or cartilaginous fishes, hold an important position within a range of aquatic ecosystems and influence the balance between species’ abundance and biodiversity. Having been in existence for over 400 million years and representing the earliest stages of the evolution of jawed vertebrates, this group also covers a diverse range of eco-morphotypes, occupying both marine and freshwater habitats. The class Chondrichthyes is divided into two subclasses: the Elasmobranchii (sharks, skates, and rays) and the Holocephali (elephant sharks and chimaeras). However, many of their life history traits, such as low fecundity, the production of small numbers of highly precocious young, slow growth rates, and late maturity, make them highly susceptible to human exploitation. To mitigate the negative effects of human impacts, it is important that we understand the sensory strategies that elasmobranchs use for navigating within their environment, forming reproductive aggregations, feeding, and even communicating. One approach to investigate the sensory bases of their behavior is to examine the peripheral sense organs mediating vision, olfaction, gustation, lateral line, electroreception, and audition in a large range of species in order to identify specific adaptations, the range of sensitivity thresholds, and the compromise between sensory spatial resolution and sensitivity. In addition, we can quantitatively assess the convergence of sensory input to the central nervous system and the relative importance of different sensory modalities. Using a comparative approach and often a combination of anatomical, electrophysiological, and molecular techniques, significant variation has been identified in the spatial and chromatic sampling of the photoreceptors in the eye, the surface area and the number of olfactory lamellae within the nasal cavity, the level of gustatory sampling within the oral cavity, the type and innervation of neuromasts of the lateral line system, the distribution of electroreceptive pores over the head, and the morphology of the inner ear. These results are presented in the context of predictions of sensory capabilities for species living in a range of ecological niches, what further research is needed, and how this sensory input may be a predictor of behavior.

show abstract

Electroreception in the euryhaline stingray, Dasyatis sabina

Abstract: SUMMARYSupplementary material available online at

Cited by 37 publications

References 31 publications

Electroreception in Elasmobranchs: Sawfish as a Case Study

Electroreception in Elasmobranchs: Sawfish as a Case Study

Description of the mechanoreceptive lateral line and electroreceptive ampullary systems in the freshwater whipray, Himantura dalyensis

The Neuroecology of Cartilaginous Fishes: Sensory Strategies for Survival

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About