The afferent connections of the tectum mesencephali in two chondrichthyans, the shark Scyliorhinus canicula and the ray Raja clavata.

Abstract

The afferent connections of the tectum mesencephali were studied in the spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula and the thornback ray Raja clavata by means of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique. Following unilateral injections in the tectum, labeled neurons could be identified in all main divisions of the brain and in the cervical spinal cord. Telencephalic neurons which project to the tectum mesencephali were observed in the caudal part of the pallium. Diencephalic projections to the tectum originate from the thalamus dorsalis pars medialis, the thalamus ventralis pars lateralis, the nucleus medius infundibuli, and the pretectal area. In Scyliorhinus labeled neurons could also be found in the corpus geniculatum laterale. Mesencephalic cells of origin of tectal afferent pathways were identified in the stratum cellulare externum of the contralateral tectum, in the nucleus tegmentalis lateralis, in the ventrolateral tegmentum, and in the nucleus ruber. Rhombencephalic cells projecting to the tectum could be identified in the nucleus cerebelli (only in Scyliorhinus), the nucleus vestibularis superior, the reticular formation, the nucleus funiculi lateralis, the nucleus tractus descendens nervi trigemini, and the nucleus dorsalis and intermedius areae octavolateralis. In addition a number of small-and medium-sized cells of the reticular formation were found labeled. Diffusely scattered labeled cells could be observed in the dorsal part of the cervical spinal cord. It is concluded that the tectal afferent connections in the chondrichthyans studied in general resemble those of other vertebrates, but that some striking differences exist. In particular, tectal afferents originating from the nucleus medius infundibuli, the nucleus cerebelli, and the nucleus dorsalis and intermedius areae octavolateralis have not been reported in other vertebrates.