Test of the mechanotactile hypothesis: neuromast morphology and response dynamics of mechanosensory lateral line primary afferents in the stingray

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Karen P Maruska, T C Tricas

Abstract

The mechanotactile hypothesis proposes that ventral non-pored lateral line canals in the stingray function to facilitate localization of prey that contact the skin during benthic feeding. This study used comparative neurophysiological and morphological techniques to test whether ventral non-pored canals encode the velocity of skin movements, and show other adaptations that may enhance detection of tactile stimuli from their prey. Resting discharge rate of lateral line primary afferent neurons was lower among units from ventral than dorsal canal groups. The ventral non-pored canals had a higher proportion of silent units (31%) than either ventral (3%) or dorsal (13%) pored canals, thus may have an enhanced potential for detection of phasic contact with prey. Primary afferents from pored canals showed response characteristics consistent with acceleration detectors, with best frequencies of 20-30 Hz. In contrast, units from non-pored canals responded to tactile skin depression velocities of 30-630 microm s(-1) from 1-20 Hz, and encoded the velocity of canal fluid induced by skin movement with best frequencies of < or =10 Hz. Sensitivity of non-pored canals to direct skin depression velocity was 2-10 times greater than to hydrodyna...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 14, 2012·Journal of Fish Biology·W Meyer, U Seegers
Jun 27, 2013·Journal of Morphology·Samantha Mulvany, Philip J Motta
Jul 31, 2014·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology·Samantha Mulvany, Philip J Motta
Jun 13, 2014·Integrative Zoology·Nathan S Hart, Shaun P Collin
Sep 19, 2012·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·Shaun P Collin
Aug 11, 2011·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·B E WueringerS P Collin
Mar 29, 2020·Royal Society Open Science·Megan F MickleDennis M Higgs
Sep 15, 2009·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Laura K JordanMalcolm S Gordon
Dec 16, 2006·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Brandon M Casper, David A Mann

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