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Receptive field properties of neurons in the electrosensory lateral line lobe of the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii

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Abstract

The receptive field of a sensory neuron is known as that region in sensory space where a stimulus will alter the response of the neuron. We determined the spatial dimensions and the shape of receptive fields of electrosensitive neurons in the medial zone of the electrosensory lateral line lobe of the African weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii, by using single cell recordings. The medial zone receives input from sensory cells which encode the stimulus amplitude. We analysed the receptive fields of 71 neurons. The size and shape of the receptive fields were determined as a function of spike rate and first spike latency and showed differences for the two analysis methods used. Spatial diameters ranged from 2 to 36 mm (spike rate) and from 2.45 to 14.12 mm (first spike latency). Some of the receptive fields were simple consisting only of one uniform centre, whereas most receptive fields showed a complex and antagonistic centre-surround organisation. Several units had a very complex structure with multiple centres and surrounding-areas. While receptive field size did not correlate with peripheral receptor location, the complexity of the receptive fields increased from rostral to caudal along the fish’s body.

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Abbreviations

CN:

Command nucleus

CS:

Command signal

EOCD:

Electric organ corollary discharge

EOD:

Electric organ discharge

ELL:

Electrosensory lateral line lobe

lat:

First spike latency

PS:

Point stimulus

PSTH:

Peri-stimulus time histogram

RF:

Receptive field

SR:

Spike rate

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, by the DFG (Em43/11-1), a Marie Curie Fellowship from the European Commission to J. E. (QLK6-CT-2002-5172) and a grant to J. B. from the Portuguese Ministry for Science and Technology (FCT-SFRH/BD/1424/2000).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroethology/Sensory Ecology, Institute of Zoology, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 11-13, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    Michael G. Metzen, Jacob Engelmann & Gerhard von der Emde

  2. Unité de Neurosciences Intégratives et Computationnelles, C.N.R.S., 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198, Gif sur Yvette, France

    Jacob Engelmann, João Bacelo & Kirsty Grant

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  1. Michael G. Metzen
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  2. Jacob Engelmann
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Correspondence to Michael G. Metzen.

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Metzen, M.G., Engelmann, J., Bacelo, J. et al. Receptive field properties of neurons in the electrosensory lateral line lobe of the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii . J Comp Physiol A 194, 1063–1075 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-008-0377-4

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