A projection of displaced ganglion cells and giant ganglion cells to the accessory optic nuclei in turtle

Abstract

The retinal projection to the accessory optic nuclei (AON) of turtles was found to arise from a distinctive set of giant ganglion cells whose dendrites ramify widely in outer portions of the inner plexiform layer. The majority (80%) of these cells had their perikaryon located in the ganglion cell layer, though displaced ganglion cells (DGCs) were also observed. In contrast, the retinal projection to the avian AON has been reported to arise exclusively from DGCs.