Changes in vision and olfaction during sexual maturation in the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Abstract

Retinal structure was examined in sexually immature and artificially matured female Anguilla anguilla. Inner nuclear layer cell numbers decreased from 600 mm−1 retinal cross‐section to 300 mm−I and ganglion cells from 60 to 30 mm−1 cross‐section, during sexual maturation. Most of the decrease occurred prior to the stage of maturation at which migration begins. Electroretinograms were recorded from the intact eyes of immature and maturing eels. There was no change in scotopic sensitivities to light of wavelengths 480 and 520 nm, with increasing sexual maturity. Olfactory organs were examined in female eels of a similar range of maturity states and were found to atrophy in artificially matured eels of advanced development. The density of mucous cells in olfactory lamellae decreased from a maximum of 443 mm−2 in sexually immature eels to as low as 19 mm−2 in sexually maturing eels. The changes in vision and olfaction were thought to indicate a change in the relative importance of the two sensory modalities with sexual maturation.