Dendritic field structure of the large ganglion cells in the retina of Pholidapus dybowskii Steindachner, 1880 (Pisces: Perciformes: Stichaeidae)

Abstract

This paper deals with the dendritic field structure of three large ganglion cell types in the retina of a marine teleost, Pholidapus dybowskii. Cells were retrograde labeled with horseradish peroxidase applied to lesioned fibers of the optic nerve. Their morphology was studied in wholemounted retinae. Dendritic fields of αab cells were more complex. Their structural complexity measured using Kolmogorov and information fractal dimensions exceeded significantly those of αa and biplexiform cells. The latter two types exhibited no significant differences in complexity and spatial heterogeneity of dendritic field. The cell types studied differed dramatically in the relationships between fractal and nonfractal parameters of their dendritic arbors. The functional and evolutionary implications of the dendritic field structure of retinal ganglion cells are discussed.