Perception of Surface Waves by the Blackstripe Topminnow, Fundulus notatus

1966 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1331-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Schwartz ◽  
Arthur D. Hasler
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Sense Organ ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Longitudinal Axis ◽  
Intensity Difference ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Wave Source ◽  
Fundulus Notatus ◽  
The Individual

The function of the cephalic lateral line in perceiving surface waves and its ecological significance was examined in the topminnow, Fundulus notatus (Rafinesque), a fish which frequents the surface waters. The sense organs are located in groups on the dorsal surface of the flatish head and are prominently visible on the skin. The individual organs of each group form a specific angle when related to the fish's midline. These organs perceive the force of slight surface waves and the perceptional field is omnidirectional. A great number of enucleated fish respond spontaneously, but when trained they orient toward the source of the disturbance on the surface up to a distance of 15 cm. The fact that the radiating wave is curved enables fish to locate the origin accurately. Fundulus notatus does not distinguish between two waves of equal strength striking simultaneously; it does so, however, if a time or intensity difference is present. A fish with sense organs removed from one side of the head deviates at a constant angle from the wave source. The perceptional field of individual organs or canals circumscribes a line drawn through the longitudinal axis of the organ or canal. A wave, therefore, traveling parallel to the longitudinal axis of the oval sense organ and hence the cupula, stimulates to the greatest extent whereas a wave perpendicular to it does not. The individual organs possess a directional property and, therefore, their arrangement on the head is functionally meaningful. The lateral line supplements the vision of the fish in finding its prey at the water surface.

Memoirs: The Loxosomatidae of the Plymouth Area, including L. obesum sp. nov

1932 ◽  
Vol s2-75 (298) ◽  
pp. 321-391
Author(s):  
DAPHNE ATKINS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Small Disc ◽  
Longitudinal Muscles ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
A New Species

Four known species of Loxosoma, namely, L. phascolosomatum Vogt, L. crassicauda Salensky, L. singulare Keferstein, and L. claviforme Hincks, and a new species L. obesum are found in the Plymouth region, and are described. L. phascolosomatum is found on Phascolosoma vulgare, and in addition on two molluscs, Lepton clarkiae and Mysella bidentata from the burrows of Phascolosoma (pellucidum) elongatum from the Salcombe Estuary. L. crassicauda lives in the tanks in the Laboratory. Its average length is 1.4 mm. Between March 1929 and February 1930 males only were found: no ova were seen. L. singulare.--Occurs on Aphrodite aculeata; it varies between 0.18 and 0.8 mm. in length. In females carrying embryos the vestibule has two diverticula, one on either side of the rectum. L. claviforme.--It is considered a valid species, and may be distinguished from L. singulare by: (1) its greater size and length of stalk, (2) greater number of tentacles (commonly twelve), (3) position of the budding zone, and (4) the presence of paired sense-organs. Its average length is about 0.8 mm. It occurs on Hermione hystrix. A small group of Loxosoma, found on Aphrodite aculeata, were intermediate in form between L. singulare and L. claviforme, and were peculiar in retaining a number of their buds. The sex of such buds in several instances differed from that of the parent. L. obesum sp. nov. is found on the dorsal surface of Aphrodite aculeata. It may reach a length of 2.4 mm.; average individuals are rather more than 1.0 mm. in length. The lophophore is small, and bears almost invariably eight tentacles. Longitudinal muscles only are present in the stalk, which ends in a small disc of attachment. A foot-gland is present in the bud, and is frequently preserved as a vestige in the adult. The buds are near the lophophore, and may be as many as six on either side. The larva resembles that of L. singulare. Two main forms may be distinguished, differing in shape of the calyx and development of the stomach. The ovary may contain six well-developed ova on either side, and the vestibule twenty-six embryos. With one exception, females greatly exceeded males in number, and it is probable that the male becomes sexually mature at a smaller size than does the female.

The mechanical basis of Drosophila audition

2002 ◽  
Vol 205 (9) ◽  
pp. 1199-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin C. Göpfert ◽  
Daniel Robert
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Sense Organ ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Longitudinal Axis ◽  
Acoustic Energy ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Non Linear

SUMMARY In Drosophila melanogaster, antennal hearing organs mediate the detection of conspecific songs. Combining laser Doppler vibrometry, acoustic near-field measurements and anatomical analysis, we have investigated the first steps in Drosophila audition, i.e. the conversion of acoustic energy into mechanical vibrations and the subsequent transmission of vibrations to the auditory receptors in the base of the antenna. Examination of the mechanical responses of the antennal structures established that the distal antennal parts (the funiculus and the arista) together constitute a mechanical entity, the sound receiver. Unconventionally, this receiver is asymmetric, resulting in an unusual, rotatory pattern of vibration; in the presence of sound, the arista and the funiculus together rotate about the longitudinal axis of the latter. According to the mechanical response characteristics, the antennal receiver represents a moderately damped simple harmonic oscillator. The receiver's resonance frequency increases continuously with the stimulus intensity, demonstrating the presence of a non-linear stiffness that may be introduced by the auditory sense organ. This surprising,non-linear effect is relevant for close-range acoustic communication in Drosophila; by improving antennal sensitivity at low song intensities and reducing sensitivity when intensity is high, it brings about dynamic range compression in the fly's auditory system.

Memoirs: On the Mantle Cavity and its Contained Organs in the Loricata (Placophora)

1939 ◽  
Vol s2-81 (323) ◽  
pp. 367-390
Author(s):  
C. M. YONGE
Keyword(s):  
Broad Band ◽  
Secondary Structures ◽  
Mantle Cavity ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Typical Structure ◽  
Characteristic Structure ◽  
Water Currents ◽  
The Individual

1. The course of the water currents in the mantle cavity of three species of the Chitonida, and one species of the Lepidopleurida, has been determined. 2. Inhalant openings are created anteriorly or laterally by local raising of the girdle. The single exhalant opening is always posterior and confined to the region between the last pair of gills. 3. The exhalant current carries with it the genital and excretory products, and, in the Chitonida, the faeces. 4. The bridging of the pallial grooves in the region of the girdle folds by the post-renal gills (and adanal gills in the Lepidopleurida) completes the functional division of the pallial grooves into inhalant and exhalant chambers. 5. The gills possess the typical structure of ctenidia, and their ciliation is a modification only of that of ctenidia. They are to be regarded as multiplied ctenidia and not as secondary structures. 6. The individual filaments are shortened, attached to those of adjacent gills by long interlocking cilia, and have a broad band of lateral cilia which create the respiratory current. 7. Four possible tracts of mucous glands in the pallial grooves are concerned with the consolidation of sediment. The pallial tracts may be homologous with the hypobranchial glands of the Prosobranchia; all are analogous with these. In the Chitonida sediment is rejected only from the exhalant chamber, in the Lepidopleurida mainly from the inhalant chamber. 8. Osphradia, possibly homologous with those in the Gastropoda, occur in the majority of the Chitonida. With them may be associated anterior sense organs. In the Lepidopleurida they are replaced by branchial and lateral sense organs. All are similar in structure and innervation. They have been considered olfactory in function, but with equal reason may be regarded as tactile organs concerned with the estimation of sediment. 9. The Loricata probably evolved between tide-marks, their characteristic structure being admirably adapted for life on the shore. 10. The reasons for the differences between the structure and habits of the Lepidopleurida and the Chitonida are discussed.

The Activity of Lateral-Line Efferent Neurones in Stationary and Swimming Dogfish

1972 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. ROBERTS ◽  
I. J. RUSSELL
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Line ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Efferent System ◽  
Natural Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The activity of efferent neurones innervating lateral-line organs on the body of dogfish was followed by recording from filaments of cranial nerve X in 41 decerebrate preparations. 2. The efferent nerves were not spontaneously active. 3. Tactile stimulation to the head and body, vestibular stimulation and noxious chemical stimulation were followed by activity of the efferent nerves. 4. In contrast, natural stimulation of lateral-line organs (water jets) did not reflexly evoke discharges from the efferent fibres. 5. Reflex efferent responses were still obtained to mechanical stimulation even after the lateral-line organs had been denervated. 6. Electrical stimulation of cranial nerves innervating lateral-lines organs was followed by reflex activity of the efferent fibres. But similar stimuli applied to other cranial nerves were equally effective in exciting the efferent system. 7. Vigorous movements of the fish, involving the white musculature, were preceded and accompanied by activity of the efferent fibres which persisted as long as the white muscle fibres were contracting. 8. Rhythmical swimming movements were accompanied by a few impulses in the efferent fibres grouped in bursts at the same frequency as the swimming movements. 9. It is concluded that the efferent neurones cannot contribute to a feedback regulatory system because they are not excited by natural stimulation of the lateral-line sense organs. The close correlation found between efferent activity and body movement suggests that the efferent system might operate in a protective manner to prevent the sense organs from being over-stimulated when the fish makes vigorous movements.

The fine morphology of the osphradial sense organs of the mollusca. III. Placophora and bivalvia

1987 ◽  
Vol 315 (1169) ◽  
pp. 37-61 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Sense Organ ◽  
Mantle Cavity ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Physiological Evidence ◽  
Anal Papillae ◽  
Fine Morphology

The fine morphology of the osphradia of six placophorans and eight bivalves, representing all major subgroups of both classes, is described. In addition the branchial and lateral sense organs of Lepidopleurus cajetanus (Placophora) have been investigated ultrastrucurally. Whereas osphradial fine structure is very uniform within the Bivalvia there are differences between Ischnochitonina and Acanthochitonina, supporting the separation of both groups. Major differences in the conditions of the mantle cavity divide Recent Placophora into the orders Lepidopleurida and Chitonida. The homology of the molluscan osphradium throughout the phylum is discussed in detail. It is concluded that the terminal sense organ (Caudofoveata, Solenogastres), the adanal sensory stripes (Placophora—Chitonida), the interbranchial and post-anal papillae of Nautilus (Cephalopoda), and the organ of Lacaze (Gastropoda-Basommatophora) are homologous with the organs of Spengel (Prosobranchia, Opisthobranchia, Bivalvia), all to be called osphradial sense organs (or osphradia). After discussion it is concluded that the osphradium is a chemoreceptor and not a mechanoreceptor as suggested by many authors. This is shown by the physiological evidence so far reported but mainly by the existence of paddle cilia in the osphradial epithelia throughout the Mollusca, which are typical of molluscan chemoreceptors. It is suggested that the osphradium is primarily used in sexual biology (coordination of spawning, search for a mate), a role altered within the Gastropoda (search for food, osmoreceptor, p O2 -receptor).

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