Connectivity patterns of cone horizontal cells in blue acara ( Aequidens pulcher, Cichlidae) reared in different light regimes

Abstract

Two types of cone horizontal cells were identified morphologically in the retina of a trichromatic fish by fluorescent labelling with Lucifer Yellow and confocal laser scanning microscopy. H1 cells are located adjacent to the outer plexiform layer, have large somata, small dendritic fields, and contact all cone types. H2 cells are positioned vitread to the H1 cells, have small somata, and large dendritic fields. Their dendrites invaginate the synaptic pedicles of short wavelength sensitive single cones and show a significant preference for one of the spectrally different members of the double cones, presumably the middle wavelength sensitive member. We tested the impacts of different visual environments on the development of these connectivity patterns and found minor changes induced by rearing in white light of different intensities or monochromatic blue light.