Superficial neuromasts facilitate non-visual feeding by larval striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Abstract

SUMMARYTo investigate whether mechanoreception is used in non-visual feeding in larval striped bass (Morone saxatilis), the ontogeny of superficial neuromasts along the lateral line was described using the vital stain FM1-43FX and fluorescent microscopy. The number of neuromasts visible along one flank increased from 11 at first feeding [5 to 7days post-hatch (dph)] to >150 by the juvenile stage (27dph). A neomycin dose response (0, 1, 2 and 5mmoll) was evaluated for neuromast ablation of bass aged 10, 13, 17 and 20dph. Using these same age groups, the ability of bass to catch Artemia salina prey in both dark and light tank-based feeding trials was compared between larvae with neuromasts ablated using neomycin (5mmoll) and controls. Neomycin significantly reduced the incidence of feeding in the light and dark. Among larvae that fed, those in the dark treated with neomycin caught fewer Artemia (~5preyh −1 ; P<0.05) than controls (16preyh −1 at 10dph; 72preyh −1 at 20dph). In the light, by contrast, neomycin treatment had no significant effect on prey capture by larvae age 13 to 20dph, but did inhibit feeding of 10dph larvae. Verification that neomycin was specifically ablating the hair cells of superficial neuromasts and not affecting either neuromast innervation, olfactory pits, or taste cells was achieved by a combination of staining with FM1-43FX and immunocytochemistry for tubulin and the calcium binding proteins, S100 and calretinin.

Scanning electron microscope investigation on the process of healing of skin wounds in Cirrhinus mrigala

“…The lateral line system is a hydrodynamic sensory system found in fishes and aquatic amphibians (Bleckmann & Zelick, 2009). More recently, Sampson, Jim, and Croll (2013) reported the evidence that superficial neuromasts likely mediate non-visual feeding in larvae of Morone saxatilis. Yanase, Herbert and Montgomery (2014) reported that superficial neuromasts unilateral ablation, produced directional instability of steady swimming and altered propulsive movements, suggesting a role for sensory feedback in correcting yaw and slip disturbances to maintain efficient locomotion.…”

New details of the neural architecture of the salmonid adipose fin

“…This antibody has been shown to specifically mark axons in zebrafish Danio rerio (Hamilton 1822), the goldfish Carassius auratus (L. 1758) and other teleosts (Trevarrow et al , ; Varatharasan et al , ; Newton et al , ). Axons were also revealed by antibodies against pan‐α‐tubulin and acetylated‐α‐tubulin, which mark microtubules in the axons of teleosts (Varatharasan et al , ; Sampson et al , ) and other animals. In an attempt to label specific types of sensory cells that are found in a variety of vertebrates (Fano et al , ), antibodies against calretinin and S100 calcium‐binding proteins were used.…”

Dynamic apical surface rings in superficial layer cells of koi Cyprinus carpio scale epidermis

“…It is not surprising, therefore, that a myriad of sensory cell types are associated with the skin. Possibly the most well studied is the lateral line, a system of mechanoreceptor-based sensory organs that detect changes in water pressure, thus aiding in detection of prey and predators (Bleckmann & Zelick, 2009), non-visual feeding (Sampson et al, 2013) and water flow (Montgomery et al, 2000;Ghysen & Dambly-Chaudière, 2004). One such key sensory organ is the superficial neuromast that is located on the skin surface.…”