Neuroethology and life history adaptations of the elasmobranch electric sense

Sisneros, Joseph A.; Tricas, Timothy C.

doi:10.1016/s0928-4257(03)00016-0

Cited by 46 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Females exhibit an increased abundance of electrosensory nerve axons, resulting in a possible increase in their electrosensitivity, which will likely improve the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing females to differentiate between approaching conspecifics and potential predators. If we consider the fact that it is only the males that make the approach to waiting females for reproduction [Sisneros and Tricas, 2002], then males may not require the ability to differentiate between approaching females and predators, so any detection of an approaching stimulus could be interpreted as dangerous (predator). On the contrary, females need to be able to identify a conspecific signal over a predatory signal to facilitate mating.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Crooks and Waring [2013], however, noted sexual dimorphism in the morphology of the ampulla receptors of S. canicula , suggesting there may be behavioural differences between the sexes, specifically in the way they use the system to locate conspecifics. In addition, the use of electroreception for mate location has previously been observed in other elasmobranch species [Bratton and Ayers, 1987;Tricas et al, 1995, Sisneros andTricas, 2002]. For example, female round stingrays (Urolophus halleri) were shown to rest on the substrate, whilst males swam in search of them, using electroreception to detect conspecifics [Sisneros and Tricas, 2002].…”

Section: Sexual Dimorphism Of the Electrosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In addition, the use of electroreception for mate location has previously been observed in other elasmobranch species [Bratton and Ayers, 1987;Tricas et al, 1995, Sisneros andTricas, 2002]. For example, female round stingrays (Urolophus halleri) were shown to rest on the substrate, whilst males swam in search of them, using electroreception to detect conspecifics [Sisneros and Tricas, 2002]. It is possible that individuals can locate conspecifics from their species-specific electrical output [Sisneros and Tricas, 2002].…”

Section: Sexual Dimorphism Of the Electrosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, female round stingrays (Urolophus halleri) were shown to rest on the substrate, whilst males swam in search of them, using electroreception to detect conspecifics [Sisneros and Tricas, 2002]. It is possible that individuals can locate conspecifics from their species-specific electrical output [Sisneros and Tricas, 2002]. Therefore, improved sensitivity of the electrosensory system in females may allow them to better identify suitable males for mating and be even more effective for foraging during their extended gestational period.…”

Section: Sexual Dimorphism Of the Electrosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual Dimorphism of the Electrosensory System: A Quantitative Analysis of Nerve Axons in the Dorsal Anterior Lateral Line Nerve of the Blue-Spotted Fantail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Kempster

Garza-Gisholt²,

Egeberg

et al. 2013

Brain Behav Evol

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Quantitative studies of sensory axons provide invaluable insights into the functional significance and relative importance of a particular sensory modality. Despite the important role electroreception plays in the behaviour of elasmobranchs, to date, there have been no studies that have assessed the number of electrosensory axons that project from the peripheral ampullae to the central nervous system (CNS). The complex arrangement and morphology of the peripheral electrosensory system has a significant influence on its function. However, it is not sufficient to base conclusions about function on the peripheral system alone. To fully appreciate the function of the electrosensory system, it is essential to also assess the neural network that connects the peripheral system to the CNS. Using stereological techniques, unbiased estimates of the total number of axons were obtained for both the electrosensory bundles exiting individual ampullary organs and those entering the CNS (via the dorsal root of the anterior lateral line nerve, ALLN) in males and females of different sizes. The dorsal root of the ALLN consists solely of myelinated electrosensory axons and shows both ontogenetic and sexual dimorphism. In particular, females exhibit a greater abundance of electrosensory axons, which may result in improved sensitivity of the electrosensory system and may facilitate mate identification for reproduction. Also presented are detailed morphological data on the peripheral electrosensory system to allow a complete interpretation of the functional significance of the sexual dimorphism found in the ALLN.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sexual Dimorphism Of the Electrosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Sexual Dimorphism Of the Electrosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sexual Dimorphism Of the Electrosensory Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sexual Dimorphism of the Electrosensory System: A Quantitative Analysis of Nerve Axons in the Dorsal Anterior Lateral Line Nerve of the Blue-Spotted Fantail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Kempster

Garza-Gisholt²,

Egeberg

et al. 2013

Brain Behav Evol

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“…Similarly, Bratton and Ayers (1987) recorded an increase in the number of times individuals discharge their organs when in contact with conspecifics. In addition, the peak discharge frequency detectable by skates adjusts at the onset of maturity to match the peak frequency of EODs generated by conspecifics (New 1990;Sisneros et al 1998;Sisneros and Tricas 2002) and reproductively active skates discharge their organs at similar peak frequencies to those detectable by other skates (Sisneros and Tricas 2002). Although this evidence is suggestive of a communicative role for skate electric organs, studies identifying sexual and ontogenetic dimorphisms in the skate EOD are needed to identify its role, if any, in gender-specific or readiness-tomate signaling during courtship.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological variation in the electric organ of the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) and its possible role in communication during courtship

Morson

Morrissey

Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes 27

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Skates discharge an electrical current too weak to be used for predation or defense, and too infrequent and irregular to be used for electrolocation. Additionally, skates possess a specialized sensory system that can detect electrical stimuli at the same strength at which they discharge their organs. These two factors are suggestive of a communicative role for the electric organ in skates, a role that has been demonstrated in similarly weakly electric teleosts (e.g., mormyrids and gymnotiforms). There is evidence that the sexual and ontogenetic variations in the electric organ discharge (EOD) in these other weakly electric fishes are linked to morphological variations in electric organs and the electrogenerating cells of the organs, the electrocytes. Little work has been done to examine possible sexual and ontogenetic variations in skate EODs or variations in the electrocytes responsible for those discharges. Electric organs and electrocyte morphology of male and female, and mature and immature little skates, Leucoraja erinacea, are characterized here. Female electric organs were bigger than male electric organs. This is suggestive of a sexually dimorphic EOD waveform or amplitude, which might be used as a sex-specific identification signal during courtship. The shapes of electrocytes that make up the organ were found to be significantly different between mature and immature individuals and, in some cases, posterior membrane surface area of the electrocytes increased at the onset of maturity due to the formation of membrane surface invaginations and papillae. This is evidence that the EOD of skates may differ in its waveform or amplitude or frequency between mature and immature skates, and act as a signal for readiness to mate. This study supports a communicative role during courtship for the weak electric organs of little skates, but studies that characterize skate EOD dimorphisms are needed to corroborate this speculation before conclusions can be drawn about the role the electric organ plays in communication during courtship.

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Anatomy and Taxonomy

Mylniczenko

2021

Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine

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Neuroethology and life history adaptations of the elasmobranch electric sense

Cited by 46 publications

References 49 publications

Sexual Dimorphism of the Electrosensory System: A Quantitative Analysis of Nerve Axons in the Dorsal Anterior Lateral Line Nerve of the Blue-Spotted Fantail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Sexual Dimorphism of the Electrosensory System: A Quantitative Analysis of Nerve Axons in the Dorsal Anterior Lateral Line Nerve of the Blue-Spotted Fantail Stingray (Taeniura lymma)

Morphological variation in the electric organ of the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) and its possible role in communication during courtship

Anatomy and Taxonomy

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