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Triploidy alters brain morphology in pre‐smolt Atlantic salmon Salmo salar : possible implications for behaviour
Author(s) -
Fraser T. W. K.,
Fjelldal P. G.,
Skjæraasen J. E.,
Hansen T.,
Mayer I.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03479.x
Subject(s) - cerebrum , biology , olfactory bulb , brain size , fish measurement , salmo , cerebellum , brain morphometry , zoology , anatomy , central nervous system , endocrinology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , medicine , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging
Total brain mass and the volumes of five specific brain regions in diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon Salmo salar pre‐smolts were measured using digital images. There were no significant differences ( P > 0·05) in total brain mass when corrected for fork length, or the volumes of the optic tecta or hypothalamus when corrected for brain mass, between diploids and triploids. There was a significant effect ( P < 0·01) of ploidy on the volume of the olfactory bulb, with it being 9·0% larger in diploids compared with triploids. The cerebellum and telencephalon, however, were significantly larger, 17 and 8% respectively, in triploids compared with diploids. Sex had no significant effect ( P > 0·05) on total brain mass or the volumes of any measured brain region. As the olfactory bulbs, cerebellum and telencephalon are implicated in a number of functions, including foraging ability, aggression and spatial cognition, these results may explain some of the behavioural differences previously reported between diploids and triploids.