Responses of the ampullae of Lorenzini in a uniform electric field

Broun, G. R.; Ilʹinskiĭ, O. B.; Крылов, Б. В.

doi:10.1007/bf01064519

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…13). These results support the conclusion of Broun et al (1979) that the less sensitive ampullae with short canals are best adapted for the detection of high-frequency information, whereas the more sensitive ampullae with long canals are better adapted for the detection of weak DC and low-frequency electric stimuli. We show that short ampullary mandibular canals (Յ1 cm) near the mouth can best detect 8 -10 Hz stimuli such as that associated with the rhythmic AC field potentials generated by small invertebrate prey (Wilkens et al, 1997), which are also a main food resource for D. sabina (Cook, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Androgen-Induced Changes in the Response Dynamics of Ampullary Electrosensory Primary Afferent Neurons

Sisneros

Tricas

2000

J. Neurosci.

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Male stingrays use their ampullary electroreceptors to locate mates, but the effect of gonadal androgens on electrosensory encoding during the reproductive season is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that gonadal androgens induce neurophysiological changes in the electrosense of male Atlantic stingrays. During the primary androgen increase in wild males, the electrosensory primary afferent neurons show an increase in discharge regularity, a downshift in best frequency (BF) and bandpass, and a greater sensitivity to low-frequency stimuli from 0.01 to 4 Hz. Experimental implants of dihydrotestosterone in male stingrays induced a similar lowered BF and bandpass and increased average neural sensitivity to low-frequency stimuli (0.5-2 Hz) by a factor of 1.5. Primary afferents from long ampullary canals (Ͼ3 cm) were more sensitive and had a lower bandpass and BF than did afferents from short canals (Ͻ2 cm). We propose that these androgen-induced changes in the frequency response properties of electrosensory afferents enhance mate detection by male stingrays and may ultimately increase the number of male reproductive encounters with females. Furthermore, differences in primary afferent sensitivity among short and long canals may facilitate detection, orientation, and localization of conspecifics during social interactions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Androgen-Induced Changes in the Response Dynamics of Ampullary Electrosensory Primary Afferent Neurons

Sisneros

Tricas

2000

J. Neurosci.

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“…Previous studies in elasmobranchs have noted the apparently uniform cathodal excitability of ALLN fibers and DON neurons (Adrianov et al , 1983Akoev et al 1976;Broun et al 1979;Montgomery 1984a, b). However, these studies have generally employed uniform electric field stimuli rather than local fields.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Medullary electrosensory processing in the little skate

New

1990

J Comp Physiol A

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1. Ampullary electroreceptors in elasmobranchs are innervated by fibers of the ALLN, which projects to the dorsal octavolateralis nucleus (DON). The purpose of this study is to examine the response characteristics of ALLN fibers and DON neurons to weak D.C. and sinusoidal electric field stimuli presented as local dipole fields. 2. ALLN fibers respond to presentation of D.C. fields with a phasic burst, followed by a more slowly adapting period of firing. Ascending efferent neurons (AENs) in the DON respond to stimuli with a similar initial burst, which adapts more quickly. 3. Type 1, 2, and 3 neurons are possible local interneurons or commissural DON neurons. Type 1 neurons demonstrate response properties similar to those of AENs. Type 2 cells demonstrated slowly adapting responses to excitatory stimuli, the duration of the response increased with the amplitude of the stimulus. Type 3 neurons demonstrated an increased rate of firing, but the response lacked any specific temporal characteristics. 4. ALLN fibers typically have receptive fields consisting of a single ampulla. The receptive field sizes of DON neurons exhibited varying degrees of convergence for different cell types. 5. Responses of ALLN fibers and DON neurons to weak sinusoidal stimuli demonstrated very similar frequency response characteristics for all cell types. The peak sensitivity of electrosensory neurons was between 5-10 Hz.

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“…While canal lengths increase with body size, the number of ampullae remains consistent ontogenetically [24]–[25]. Passive and structural electric properties dictate that longer canals are more sensitive to weak electric fields [26]. Thus, as elasmobranchs mature, their electroreceptive resolution decreases, while their sensitivity to weak electric fields increases [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroreceptive and Mechanoreceptive Anatomical Specialisations in the Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

2012

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The arrangement of the electroreceptive ampullary system and closely related mechanoreceptive lateral line canal system was investigated in the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum. The lateral line canals form an elaborate network across the head and are continuously punctuated by pores. Ampullary pores are distributed in eleven distinct pore fields, and associated ampullary bulbs are aggregated in five independent ampullary clusters on either side of the head. Pores are primarily concentrated around the mouth and across the snout of the animal. We provide the anatomical basis for future behavioural studies on electroreception and mechanoreception in epaulette sharks, as well as supporting evidence that the electroreceptive ampullary system is specialised to provide behaviourally relevant stimuli. In addition, we describe ampullary pores distributed as far posteriorly as the dorsal fin and thus reject the assumption that ampullary pores are restricted to the cephalic region in sharks.

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Responses of the ampullae of Lorenzini in a uniform electric field

Cited by 5 publications

References 1 publication

Androgen-Induced Changes in the Response Dynamics of Ampullary Electrosensory Primary Afferent Neurons

Androgen-Induced Changes in the Response Dynamics of Ampullary Electrosensory Primary Afferent Neurons

Medullary electrosensory processing in the little skate

Electroreceptive and Mechanoreceptive Anatomical Specialisations in the Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

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