Light and electron microscopic observations on retinal neurons of red‐tail shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor H. M. Smith, 1931)

Abstract

The structure of photoreceptors (PR) and the arrangement of neurons in the retina of red‐tail shark were investigated using light and electron microscopy. The PR showed a mosaic arrangement and included double cones, single cones (SC), and single rods. Most cones occur as SC. The ratio between the number of cones and rods was 3:1.39 (±0.29). The rods were tall that reached the pigmented epithelium. The outer plexiform layer (OPL) showed a complex synaptic connection between the horizontal and photoreceptor terminals that were surrounded by Müller cell processes. Electron microscopy showed that the OPL possessed both cone pedicles and rod spherules. Each rod spherule consisted of a single synaptic ribbon within the invaginating terminal endings of the horizontal cell (hc) processes. In contrast, the cone pedicles possessed many synaptic ribbons within their junctional complexes. The inner nuclear layer consisted of bipolar, amacrine, Müller cells, and hc. Müller cells possessed intermediate filaments and cell processes that can reach the outer limiting membrane and form connections with each other by desmosomes. The ganglion cells were large multipolar cells with a spherical nucleus and Nissl’ bodies in their cytoplasm. The presence of different types of cones arranged in a mosaic pattern in the retina of this species favors the spatial resolution of visual objects.Research Highlights This is the first study demonstrating the structure and arrangement of retinal neurons of red‐tail shark using light and electron microscopy. The current study showed the presence of different types of cones arranged in a mosaic pattern that may favor the spatial resolution of visual objects in this species. The bipolar, amacrine, Müller, and horizontal cells could be demonstrated.

Retinal Structure of Poecilia sphenops: Photoreceptor Mosaics, Synaptic Ribbon Patterns, and Glial Cell Expressions

“…Moreover, our histochemical analysis indicated that the IPL and OPL of the retina showed positive reactions for alcian blue. These results agree with the findings in frogs [ 65 , 66 ] and red-tail sharks [ 65 , 66 ], where this staining reaction indicates that the dye has bound to sulfate groups that are found in intracellular proteoglycans associated with membranes, such as those present in synaptic vesicles. These groups may serve as Ca 2 binding sites or preserve other ionic equilibriums.…”