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Directional and frequency response characteristics in the descending octaval nucleus of the toadfish (Opsanus tau)

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Abstract

This study is a continuation of a long-term investigation of the auditory circuit in the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau. Input from the auditory periphery projects to the ipsilateral descending octaval nucleus (DON). Ipsilateral and contralateral DONs project to the auditory midbrain, where a previous study indicated that both frequency tuning and directional sharpening are present. To better understand the transformation of auditory information along the auditory pathway, we have examined over 400 units in the DON to characterize frequency and directional information encoded in the dorsolateral division of the nucleus. Background activity was primarily low (<10 spikes/s) or absent. The maximum coefficient of synchronization was equivalent to the periphery (R = 0.9) and substantially better than in the midbrain. The majority of DON units (79%) responded best to stimulus frequencies of 84–141 Hz and were broadly tuned. DON cells retain or enhance the directional character of their peripheral input (s); however, characteristic axes were distributed in all quadrants around the fish, providing further evidence that binaural computations may first occur in the DON of this species.

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Abbreviations

BA:

Best axis

BF:

Best frequency

Cb:

Cerebellum

CNS:

Central nervous system

Dl:

Dorsolateral division

Dm:

Dorsomedial division

DON:

Descending octaval nucleus

DRP:

Directional response pattern

LL:

Lateral line

LLNM:

Lateral line nucleus medialis

LLp:

Posterior ramus

MgON:

Magnocellular octaval nucleus

Os:

Saccular otolith

OT:

Optic tectum

R :

Coefficient of synchronization

TS:

Midbrain torus semicircularis

Vd:

Descending trigeminal tract

VII:

Facial nerve

VIIIa:

Anterior ramus acoustic nerve

VIIIp:

Posterior ramus acoustic nerve

IX:

Glossophyaryngeal nerve

X:

Vagal nerve

VL:

Vagal lobe

Z :

Statistic

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Acknowledgments

This work could not have been completed had we not received cooperation from the staff of the Marine Resources Center at the MBL. In particular we thank Ed Enos, veterinarian Dr. R. Smolowitz, and Janice Simmons. Tissue processing and evaluation were conducted at the MBL Microscopy Facility with assistance from Louis Kerr, Gavin Histon, Becky MacDonald, and Blair Rossetti. We also thank Rudy Rottenfusser for obtaining replacement parts for our vintage Zeiss surgical microscope. These experiments complied with the “Principles of Animal Care” (NIH Pub. No. 86–23, rev. 1985) and the laws of the United States of America. This research was funded by grants to R. R. Fay from the National Institutes of Health (NIDCD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parmly Hearing Institute, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60626, USA

    Peggy L. Edds-Walton & Richard R. Fay

  2. Marine Biological Laboratory, Neuroscience Institute, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA

    Peggy L. Edds-Walton & Richard R. Fay

Authors
  1. Peggy L. Edds-Walton
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  2. Richard R. Fay
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Correspondence to Peggy L. Edds-Walton.

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Edds-Walton, P.L., Fay, R.R. Directional and frequency response characteristics in the descending octaval nucleus of the toadfish (Opsanus tau). J Comp Physiol A 194, 1013–1029 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-008-0373-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-008-0373-8

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