The retinal projection to the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Gutierrez-Ibanez, Cristian; Gaede, Andrea H.; Dannish, Max. R.; Altshuler, Douglas L.; Wylie, Douglas R.

doi:10.1007/s00359-018-1245-5

Original Paper
Published: 16 January 2018

The retinal projection to the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0468-8223¹^na1,
Andrea H. Gaede^1,2^na1,
Max. R. Dannish¹,
Douglas L. Altshuler² &
Douglas R. Wylie¹

Journal of Comparative Physiology A volume 204, pages 369–376 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

In birds, the nucleus of the basal optic root (nBOR) and the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM) are retinal recipient nuclei involved in the analysis of optic flow and the generation of the optokinetic response. In both pigeons and chickens, retinal inputs to the nBOR arise from displaced ganglion cells (DGCs), which are found at the margin of the inner nuclear and inner plexiform layers. The LM receives afferents from retinal ganglion cells, but whether DGCs also project to LM is a matter of debate. Previous work in chickens had concluded that DGCs do not project to LM, but a recent study in pigeons found that both retinal ganglion cells and DGCs project to LM. These findings leave open the question of whether there are species differences with respect to the DGC projection to LM. In the present study, we made small injections of retrograde tracer into the LM in a zebra finch and an Anna’s hummingbird. In both cases, retrogradely labeled retinal ganglion cells and DGCs were observed. These results suggest that a retinal input to the LM arising from DGCs is characteristic of most, if not all, birds.

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Abbreviations

DGC:: Displaced ganglion cell
GCL:: Ganglion cell layer
GLv:: Lateral geniculate nucleus, pars ventralis
GT:: Tectal grey
INL:: Inner nuclear layer
IPL:: Inner plexiform layer
LMm/l:: Nucleus lentiformis mesencephali pars medialis/lateralis
nBOR:: Nucleus of the basal optic root
nRT:: Nucleus rotundus
ONL:: Outer nuclear layer
OPL:: Outer plexiform layer
RGC:: Retinal ganglion cell
TeO:: Optic tectum
TrO:: Optic tract

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Melissa Armstrong Rebecca Long for help with this study.

Funding

This research was supported by funding to D.R.W. and D.L.A. from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Author information

Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez and Andrea H. Gaede contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E9, Canada
Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez, Andrea H. Gaede, Max. R. Dannish & Douglas R. Wylie
Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
Andrea H. Gaede & Douglas L. Altshuler

Authors

Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez
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Andrea H. Gaede
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Max. R. Dannish
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Douglas L. Altshuler
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Douglas R. Wylie
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Contributions

All authors had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: CG-I, AHG, DLA, DRW. Acquisition of data CG-I, AHG, MRD, DRW. Analysis and interpretation of data: CG-I, AHG, MRD, DLA, DRW. Drafting of the article: CG-I. Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: CG-I, AHG, DLA, DRW. Obtained funding: DLA, DRW. Study supervision: DLA, DRW.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez.

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The authors have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All experimental procedures were approved by the University of British Columbia Animal Care Committee in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

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Gutierrez-Ibanez, C., Gaede, A.H., Dannish, M.R. et al. The retinal projection to the nucleus lentiformis mesencephali in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna). J Comp Physiol A 204, 369–376 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-018-1245-5

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Received: 29 September 2017
Revised: 27 December 2017
Accepted: 03 January 2018
Published: 16 January 2018
Issue Date: April 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-018-1245-5

Keywords

Displaced ganglion cells
Optic flow
Optokinetic
Accessory optic system
Nucleus of the basal optic root