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Special cutaneous receptor organs of fish: IV. Ampullary organs of the nonelectric catfish, Kryptopterus
Author(s) -
Wachtel Allen W.,
Szamier R. Bruce
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051280303
Subject(s) - electroreception , catfish , biology , anatomy , hillock , fish <actinopterygii> , epidermis (zoology) , electric fish , body cavity , fishery , materials science , composite material
Ampullary organs of the transparent catfish, Kryptopterus bicirrhus , are present in large numbers on the head and in a regular pattern of lines on the body and fins. The organs lie in the epidermis, and have a pore that opens to the surface. Flattened cells form a roof and walls. On the floor of the organ there are a “sensory hillock,” composed of spherical receptor cells and columnar supporting cells, and a “secretory hillock” composed of columnar secretory cells. The receptor cells are nonciliated and have only afferent innervation. The organ cavity is filled with jelly. The organs are compared with ampullary organs of the weakly electric fish Eigenmannia , ampullae of Lorenzini of Raja , and small pit organs of Amiurus . Structural characteristics of the ampullary organs of Kryptopterus make them especially suitable for electrophysiological studies.