Summary
The ultrastructure of the accessory outer segment (AOS) — a ciliumlike structure emanating from the inner segment and running alongside the outer segment of photoreceptors — is described. The AOS occurs in both rods and cones of Poecilia reticulata. Its ultrastructure, including the arrangement of microtubules, which originate from the ciliary stalk, is the same in rods and cones. The cone-AOS is connected with the outer segment by a thin plasmabridge, whereas the rod-AOS lies embedded within the outer segment. The outer segment of the cone, in contrast to that of the rod, is separated from the pigment epithelium by a large extracellular space. An intimate contact, however, is secured by the AOS; its membrane is closely appositioned to the pigment epithelium membrane. The functional significance of the AOS and its possible occurrence in other vertebrate classes, are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anctil, M., Ali, M.A., Couillard, P.: Isolated retinal cells of some lower vertebrates. Rev. Canad. Biol. 32, 107–119 (1973)
Arnott, H.J., Best, A.C.G., Ito, S., Nicol, J.A.C.: Studies on the eyes of catfishes with special reference to the tapetum lucidum. Proc. roy. Soc. B 86, 13–36 (1974)
Berger, E.R.: Mitochondrial Genesis: The de novo formation and differentiation of mitochondria in Lebistes photoreceptor inner segments. Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. Calif. Los Angeles (1965)
Cohen, A.I.: Rods and Cones. In: Handbook of sensory physiology, Vol. II/2. Physiology of photoreceptor organs, pp. 63–110 (M.G.F. Fuortes, ed.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1972
Couillard, P.: Approaches to the study of contractility in the rods and cones. In: Vision in fishes (M.A. Ali, ed.). New York: Plenum Publishing Corp. 1975
Engström, K.: Cone types and cone arrangement in the retina of some gadids. Acta zool. 42, 227–243 (1961)
Engström, K.: Structure, organization and ultrastructure of the visual cells in the teleost family Labridae. Acta zool. 44, 1–41 (1963)
Fineran, B.A., Nicol, J.A.C.: Studies on the eyes of New Zealand parrot-fishes (Labridae). Proc. roy. Soc. B 186, 217–247 (1974)
Fürst, C.M.: Zur Kenntnis der Histogenese und des Wachstums der Retina. Lunds Univ. Aarsskrift 40, 1–45 (1904)
Grün, G.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung zur Differenzierung der Rezeptoraußenglieder in der Retina von Tilapia leucosticta (Cichlidae). Verh. Dtsch. Zool. Ges. 1974, 167–170, Stuttgart, 1975
Held, H.: Zur weiteren Kenntnis der Nervenendfüsse und zur Struktur der Sehzellen. Abh. math.-phys. Kl. Kgl. Sächs. Ges. Wiss. 29, 145–160 (1904)
Kolmer, W.: Über ein Strukturelement der Stäbchen und Zapfen der Froschretina. Anat. Anz. 25, 102–104 (1904)
Kolmer, W.: Zur Histologie der Augenhäute. Anat. Anz. 47, 417–423 (1914)
Kunz, Y.W., Wise, C.: Ultrastructure of the “oil-droplet” in the retinal twin-cone of Lebistes reticulatus (Peters.) Preliminary results. Rev. suisse Zool. 80, 694–698 (1973)
Matsusaka, T.: Fine structure of the connecting cilium in the rat eye. IIIrd. Intern. Symposium on the Structure of the Eye. 1975. Jap. J. Ophthal. 19, 230 (1975)
Müller, H.: Bau und Wachstum der Netzhaut des Guppy (Lebistes reticulatus P.). Zool. Jb. (Physiol.) 63, 275–324 (1952)
Munk, O., Andersen, S.R.: Accessory outer segment, a re-discovered cilium-like structure in the layer of rods and cones of the human retina. Preliminary Report. Acta ophthal. (Kbh.) 40, 526–531 (1962)
Nilsson, S.E.: The ultrastructure of the receptor outer segments in the retina of the leopard frog (Rana pipiens). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 207–231 (1965)
Ocumpaugh, E.E., Young, R.W.: Distribution and synthesis of sulfated mucopolysaccharids in the retina of the rat. Invest. Ophthal. 5, 196–203 (1966)
O'Brien, P.J.O.: The pigment epithelium: Its relationship to the retina in health and disease. Part 1. Exp. Eye Res. 22, No. 5 (sympossium issue) (1976)
Retzius, G.: Zur Kenntnis vom Bau der Selachier-Retina. Biol. Untersuch. 22, 55–61 (1905)
Rhodin, J.A.G.: Histology, a Text and Atlas, pp. 19–22. New York: Oxford Univ. Press 1974
Satir, P.: Cilia. Sci. Amer. 204, 108–117 (1961)
Smith, D.S., Järlfors, U., Cameron, F.G.: Morphological evidence for the participation of microtubules in axonal transport. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 253, 472–506 (1975)
Soifer, E.: Conference on the biology of cytoplasmic microtubules. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 253, 1–848 (1975)
Steinberg, R.H., Wood, I.: Pigment epithelial cell ensheathment of cone outer segments in the retina of the domestic cat. Proc. roy. Soc. B 187, 461–478 (1974)
Wald, G.: Photochemical aspects of visual excitation. Exp. Cell Res., Suppl. 5, 389–410 (1958)
Walls, G.L.: The vertebrate eye and its adaptive radiation. Michigan: Cranbrook Inst. of Science 1942
Young, R.W.: Visual cells. Sci. Amer. 233, 80–91 (1970)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yacob, A., Wise, C. & Kunz, Y.W. The accessory outer segment of rods and cones in the retina of the guppy, Poecilia reticulata P. (teleostei). Cell Tissue Res. 177, 181–193 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221080
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221080