7 - Sensory Systems

Abstract

The chapter focuses on the sensory systems of intertidal fishes. The intertidal fishes live near the air–water interface, in the presence of turbulence and obstructed vision, salinity and temperature fluctuations, and other intertidal features that not only require physiological adaptations but certainly constrain sensory capabilities. Furthermore, intertidal fishes may, depending on their habitat, face different physicoenvironmental challenges. In general, external taste buds are only moderately developed in the perciform fishes. This seems particularly true for intertidal fishes exposing themselves to surge or for species that have adopted an amphibious lifestyle. No external taste buds have been found in mudskippes, even though these gobies are plentifully equipped with taste buds within the oral cavity. In contrast, hillocked taste buds are present on nasal and supraorbital tentacles of the semi-emergent Salarias . In general, the system of free neuromasts that, among other functions, is used in locating prey seems only moderately developed in intertidal fishes belonging to high-energy habitats, but may be highly developed in intertidal fishes belonging to low-energy environments.