Noradrenaline, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and tryptophan concentrations in the brains of four cohabiting species of fish

Abstract

1. The concentrations of the neurotransmitters noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxy-tryptamine and the amino acid tryptophan were determined in the telencephalon, optic lobes and rest of the brains of four species of fish collected from a stream in central Saskatchewan. 2. The species investigated were white sucker ( Catostomus commersoni), longnose sucker ( Catostomus catostomus), longnosed dace ( Rhinichthys cataractae) and northern pike ( Esox lucius). 3. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of amines in different regions of the brain within species and within the same brain region between species. 4. These results may be related to the phylogenetic differences or to patterns in brain development evolved by fish species to adapt to particular lifestyles.