Summary
A single anterior nostril situated above the mouth leads to the olfactory organ of hagfishes. The olfactory sensory epithelium is found just anterior to the olfactory bulb. The sensory cells are distributed on both sides of seven olfactory lamellae that are oriented in parallel to the median plane and attached to the dorsal roof of the olfactory cavity. The receptor neurones are bipolar sensory cells with axons terminating in the olfactory bulb. The receptor neurones are of two types, one type is equipped with microvilli on their distal terminal swelling, the other type has cilia. Isolated receptor neurones have diameters around 2 μm and the total length including cell body and dendrite varies between 40 and 135 μm. Recordings of the EOG (electroolfactogram) indicate that the receptor neurones are sensitive to amino acids.
Tagging experiments indicate that hagfishes can return to the original capture site after displacements. The role of the olfactory organ of hagfishes to perform these migrations and aggregations is discussed.
Keywords
Olfactory Bulb Supporting Cell Olfactory Epithelium Olfactory System Receptor NeuronePreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
- Cole, J.F. (1913) A monograph on the general morphology of the myxinoid fishes, based on a study of Myxine. Part V. The anatomy of the gut and its appendages. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh, 49, 293–344.Google Scholar
- Døving, K.B., Dubois-Dauphin, M., Holley, A. and Jourdan, F. (1977) Functional anatomy of the olfactory organ of fish and the ciliary mechanisms of water transport. Ada Zool., 58, 245–255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Døving, K.B. and Hohnberg, K. (1974) A note on the function of the olfactory organ of the hagfish Myxine glutinosa. Ada Physiol. Scand., 91, 430–432.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Døving, K.B., Selset, R. and Thommesen, G. (1980) Olfactory sensitivity to bile acids in salmonid fishes. Ada Physiol Scand., 108, 123–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Müller, J. (1834) Vergleichende Anatomie der Myxinoiden, der Cyclostomen mit durchbohrtem Gaumen, Berlin, K. Akad. der Wissenschaften, 108pp.Google Scholar
- Müller, J. (1840) Vergleichende Neurologie der Myxinoiden. Fortsetzung der vergleichende Anatomie der Myxinoiden. Berlin, K. Akad. der Wissenschaften, 83pp.Google Scholar
- Ottoson, D. (1956) Analysis of the electrical activity of the olfactory epithelium. Acta Physiol. Scand., 35, 1–83.Google Scholar
- Parker, W.K. (1883) On the skeleton of the marsipo-branch fishes. I. The myxinoids (Myxine and Bdellostoma). Phil. Trans. London, 174, 373–457.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Peters, A. (1963) The peripheral nervous system, in The Biology of Myxine (eds A. Brodai and R. Fänge), Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, pp. 92–123.Google Scholar
- Retzius, G. (1880) Das Riechepithel der Cyclostomen. Arch. Anat. Entwicklungsgesch., 4, 9–21.Google Scholar
- Roos, D.M. (1963) The sense organs of Myxine glutinosa, in The Biology of Myxine (eds A. Brodai and R. Fänge), Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, pp. 150–160.Google Scholar
- Silver, W.L., Caprio, J., Blackwell, J.F. and Tucker, D. (1976) The underwater electro-olfactogram: a tool for studying the sense of smell of marine fishes. Experientia, 32.Google Scholar
- Theisen, B. (1973) The olfactory system in the hagfish Myxine glutinosa. I. Fine structure of the apical part of the olfactory epithelium. Ada Zool., 54, 271–284.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Theisen, B. (1976) The olfactory system in the Pacific hagfishes Eptatretus stoutii, Eptatretus deani, and Myxine circifrons. Ada Zooh., 57, 167–173.Google Scholar
- Walvig, F. (1967) Experimental marking of hagfish (Myxine glutinosa L.). Nytt Mag. Zool, 15, 35–39.Google Scholar