Developmental change in neuromast distribution in the anterior lateral line of muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)

Christin Helwig; John Robertson

doi:10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.937.15

Strike feeding behavior in the muskellunge, Esox masquinongy: contributions of the lateral line and visual sensory systems

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.204.6.1207 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 204 (6) ◽

pp. 1207-1221 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

J.G. New ◽

L. Alborg Fewkes ◽

A.N. Khan

Keyword(s):

Feeding Behavior ◽

Lateral Line ◽

Dominant Role ◽

Body Movement ◽

Critical Role ◽

Pimephales Promelas ◽

Lateral Line System ◽

Test Arena ◽

Line System ◽

Esox Masquinongy

The muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, is a predatory esocid fish with well-developed visual and lateral line systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative roles of these two sensory modalities in organizing the strike behavior of the animal. Subadult muskellunge were videotaped in a test arena while feeding on fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Animals were tested under five conditions: (i) control animals in which the visual and lateral line systems were intact; (ii) animals with lateral line afference suppressed by immersion for 12–24 h in 0.1 mmol l(−1) CoCl2; (iii) animals blinded by bilateral optic nerve transection; (iv) animals that had been unilaterally blinded; and (v) animals in which the lateral line system had been unilaterally denervated. The feeding behavior of the muskellunge consists of two phases: a slow stalk of the prey with minimal body movement followed by an explosive C- or S-start lunge at the prey. Quantitative comparisons of animals in the five test groups indicate that, although vision is used in the initial acquisition of the prey, both vision and the lateral line system play important roles in determining the initiation of the rapid strike. The lateral line system may play a critical role in the final capture of the prey at the end of the strike. In addition, lateral-line-suppressed muskellunge strongly alter their approaches to more distant prey. Bilaterally blinded muskellunge do not stalk their prey, but will lunge only at prey that are at close range. Unilaterally blinded or denervated muskellunge also alter their detection of and approach to prey, attending to a wider region of the intact sensory hemisphere. Our data suggest not only that the visual and lateral line systems play complementary roles in the feeding behavior sequence but also that each system plays a more or less dominant role during consecutive phases of the behavior.

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A Study on the Fine Structure of the Lateral Line Organ of the Sea Eel

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100073684 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 31 ◽

pp. 648-649

Author(s):

K. Hama

Keyword(s):

Fine Structure ◽

Electron Microscope ◽

Lateral Line ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Sensory Cells ◽

Apical Surface ◽

Voltage Electron ◽

Sensory Epithelia ◽

Low Frequency Vibration ◽

Transmission Electron

The lateral line organs of the sea eel consist of canal and pit organs which are different in function. The former is a low frequency vibration detector whereas the latter functions as an ion receptor as well as a mechano receptor.The fine structure of the sensory epithelia of both organs were studied by means of ordinary transmission electron microscope, high voltage electron microscope and of surface scanning electron microscope.The sensory cells of the canal organ are polarized in front-caudal direction and those of the pit organ are polarized in dorso-ventral direction. The sensory epithelia of both organs have thinner surface coats compared to the surrounding ordinary epithelial cells, which have very thick fuzzy coatings on the apical surface.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy of Fish Scales as an Adjunctive Aid in Speciation

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100095236 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 394-395

Author(s):

Edward D. DeLamater ◽

Walter R. Courtenay ◽

Cecil Whitaker

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Lateral Line ◽

Species Differences ◽

Fish Scale ◽

Fish Scales ◽

Anterior Border ◽

The University ◽

Multiple Holes ◽

Scanning Electron

Comparative scanning electron microscopy studies of fish scales of different orders, families, genera and species within genera have demonstrated differences which warrant elaboration. These differences in detail appear to be sufficient to act as “fingerprints”, at least, for family differences. To date, the lateral line scales have been primarily studied. These demonstrate differences in the lateral line canals; the pattern of ridging with or without secondary protuberances along the edges; the pattern of spines or their absence on the anterior border of the scales; the presence or absence of single or multiple holes on the ventral and dorsal sides of the lateral line canal covers. The distances between the ridges in the pattern appear likewise to be important.A statement of fish scale structure and a comparison of family and species differences will be presented.The authors wish to thank Dr. Donald Marzalek and Mr. Wallace Charm of the Marine and Atmospheric Laboratory of the University of Miami and Dr. Sheldon Moll and Dr. Richard Turnage of AMR for their exhaustive help in these preliminary studies.

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