Variability in the Location of the Retinal Ganglion Cell Area Centralis Is Correlated with Ontogenetic Changes in Feeding Behavior in the Black Bream, <i>Acanthopagrus butcheri</i> (Sparidae, Teleostei)

Abstract

The development of neural cell topography in the retinal ganglion cell layer was examined in a teleost, the black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri). From Nissl-stained wholemounts, it was established that fish between 10 and 15 mm standard body length (SL) possess high cell densities throughout the dorso-temporal retinal quadrant, with peak cell densities located in temporal regions of the retina. However, in fish between 15 and 80 mm SL, a wide variation in the position of the peak cell density is revealed with the locations of the areae centrales (AC) ranging from exclusively temporal to periphero-dorsal retina. Fish larger than 80 mm SL always possess an AC located in the dorsal region of the dorso-temporal retinal quadrant. The topography of ganglion cells within the ganglion cell layer was determined by comparing the numbers of ganglion cells retrogradely-labeled from the optic nerve with the total population of Nissl-stained neurons (ganglion plus displaced amacrine cells) in a range of different-sized individuals. Ganglion cell topography was the same as that recorded for all Nissl-stained neurons. The feeding behavior of juveniles from metamorphosis to 80 mm SL was observed, where fish were given the choice of feeding on live food in mid-water (until 15 mm SL) or obtaining pellets from the surface or the bottom. A range of feeding patterns was recorded, with the smallest fish taking food from mid-water but individuals between 15 and 80 mm SL taking food either from the surface or the bottom or both. A correlation between the preferred mode of feeding and the position of the AC was found, such that those individuals feeding in mid-water or at the surface possess a temporal or intermediate (dorso- temporal) AC, whereas those predominantly feeding from the bottom possess a dorsal AC.

Retinal Topography of Ganglion Cells and Putative UV-Sensitive Cones in Two Antarctic Fishes: Pagothenia borchgrevinki and Trematomus bernacchii (Nototheniidae)

“…In the present investigation, the main visual axis, thought to provide a clue for the high resolving power of the AC (Shand et al, 2000), was determined to be forward-looking in both species, which is in agreement with the AC's location in the temporal retina. Therefore, the best vision in both species to detect prey items must be considered to lie in front of the fish.…”

Retinal specialisations in the dogfish <i>Centroscymnus coelolepis</i> from the Mediterranean deep-sea

“…Thus, the retinal specialisation for a better visual discrimination of the horizon might be useful when large females move to mesopelagic waters. As ontogenetic changes in the retinal ganglion cell topography have been documented in some teleosts (Shand et al, 2000;Bozzano and Catalán, 2002), determining possible changes in the cell distribution of the C. coelolepis retina during growth could help to increase the understanding of the migratory behaviour of this species.…”

Complexity affects habitat preference and predation mortality in postlarval Penaeus plebejus: implications for stock enhancement

“…Compared with Acanthopagrus australis and Centropogon australis, whose chemosensory foraging abilities have not been previously documented, M. macleayi may have been less reliant on visual detection of prey due to their chemosensory abilities and, therefore, were able to forage effectively in macrophyte habitat. Predation by passive ambush predators, such as C. australis (Harmelin-Vivien & Bouchon 1976) and A. australis (Shand et al 2000), can also be significantly reduced by the presence of structure. In contrast, predators that chase their prey may be unaffected by complexity because they squeeze between structures and occupy the narrow crevices where prey attempt to hide (Primavera 1997).…”