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The organization of the diencephalon and the pretectum in the cichlid fish, Haplochromis burtoni
Author(s) -
Fernald Russell D.,
Shelton Linda C.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.902380207
Subject(s) - biology , cichlid , diencephalon , pretectal area , neuroscience , nissl body , vertebrate , fish <actinopterygii> , anatomy , thalamus , central nervous system , zoology , midbrain , fishery , staining , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Although teleost fish comprise the largest vertebrate radiation, surprisingly little is known about the structure and development of their central nervous systems. Since teleosts are being used much more frequently as model systems in neurobiological research, particularly in understanding visual function, detailed information is needed about central nervous system structures and interconnections. By using the Bodian method with Nissl counterstaining we have analyzed the major nuclei in the diencephalon and pretectum of a cichlid fish, Haplochromis burtoni , which is dependent on vision for its survival. Although our results are broadly comparable with those from other teleost species, there are clear differences, particularly among the visual nuclei. By using animals of a range of sizes to confirm our descriptions we were able to identify possible developmental relationships among several nuclei.