Anatomical mapping of retino-tectal connections in developing and metamorphosed Xenopus: evidence for changing connections

Neural connections between the eye and optic tectum in Xenopus laevis were anatomically traced by observing the tectal location of Wallerian degeneration after discrete retinal lesion. These retinotectal connections were mapped in postmetamorphic frogs and tadpoles at stage 51, the stage at which retinal axons have grown into about the rostral one-half of the tectum. The course of the experimental degeneration was the same in frogs and tadpoles, but degeneration proceeded faster in the younger animals. In the frogs, connections were ordered, with nasal retina mapping to the caudal part of the tectum and temporal retina mapping to the rostral tectum. In the tadpoles, within the innervated area at the rostral tectum, the retino-tectal connections were generally organized as in the adults, with the temporal retina mapping to the rostral part of the innervated tectum and nasal retina mapping primarily to the caudal part. But a portion of the nasal fibers consistently mapped to the far rostral tectum as well. Electron microscopic observations showed degenerating synaptic terminals at both rostral and caudal portions of the innervated tectum after lesion of just the nasal retina. Degeneration was not seen in control animals. These results indicate that some fibers (particularly from nasal retina) may shift their terminals caudally on the tectum to match tectal growth and produce the adult pattern of connections. If there is such connection readjustment, the ‘aberrant’ connections from nasal retina in tadpoles may be an indication of this process.