Neuroanatomical and neurophysiological mechanisms of acoustic and weakly electric signaling in synodontid catfish.

ABSTRACT: To what extent do modifications in the nervous system and peripheral effectors contribute to novel behaviors? Using a combination of morphometric analysis, neuroanatomical tract-tracing, and intracellular neuronal recording, we address this question in a sound-producing and a weakly electric species of synodontid catfish, Synodontis grandiops, and Synodontis nigriventris, respectively. The same peripheral mechanism, a bilateral pair of protractor muscles associated with vertebral processes (elastic spring mechanism), is involved in both signaling systems. Although there were dramatic species differences in several morphometric measures, electromyograms provided strong evidence that simultaneous activation of paired protractor muscles accounts for an individual sound and electric discharge

SUBMITTER: Kever L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7496807 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature