Skip to main content
Log in

On the discrimination of spatial intervals by the blind cave fish (Anoptichthys jordani)

  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The performance of the blind cave fish in discriminating spatial intervals was investigated. The fish had to discriminate between pairs of grids consisting of equidistant vertical bars. The intervals between the bars on the grid to be chosen were kept constant while the intervals between the bars on the other grid were altered in steps so as to become gradually closer to the interval between the bars on the grid to be chosen. It was found that the fish were still able to discriminate between the two grids when the difference between the bar intervals amounted to at least 1.5 mm. In interpreting the results it was concluded that the phase information in the stimulus on the skin of the fish must be significant for it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

LLO :

lateral line organ

SDP :

spatial discriminatory performance

SDPF :

spatial discriminatory performance factor

TDPF :

temporal discriminatory performance factor

References

  • Bleckmann H (1980) Reaction time and stimulus frequency in prey localization in the surface-feeding fishAplocheilus lineatus. J Comp Physiol 140:163–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Bleckmann H, Schwartz E (1982) The functional significance of frequency modulation within a wave train for prey localization in the surface-feeding fishAplocheilus lineatus (Cyprinodontidae). J Comp Physiol 145:331–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Bleckmann H, Waldner I, Schwartz E (1981) Frequency discrimination of the surface-feeding fishAplocheilus lineatus — A prerequisite for prey localization? J Comp Physiol 143:485–490

    Google Scholar 

  • Campenhausen C von, Riess I, Weissert R (1981) Detection of stationary objects by the blind cave fishAnoptichthys jordani (Characidae). J Comp Physiol 143:369–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkgraaf S (1952) Bau und Funktionen der Seitenorgane und des Ohrlabyrinths bei Fischen. Experientia 8:205–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Dijkgraaf S (1962) The functioning and significance of the lateral-line organs. Biol Rev 38:51–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Flock A, Wersäll J (1962) A study of the orientation of the sensory hairs of cells in the lateral line organ of fish, with special reference to the function of the receptors. J Cell Biol 15:19–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Frühbeis B (1984) Verhaltensphysiologische Untersuchungen zur Frequenzunterscheidung und Empfindlichkeit durch das Seitenlinienorgan des blinden HöhlenfischesAnoptichthys jordani (Hubbs et Innes). Dissertation, Universität Mainz

  • Görner P (1961) Beitrag zum Bau und zur Arbeitsweise des Seitenorgans vonXenopus laevis. Verh Dtsch Zool Ges pp 193–198

  • Harris GG, van Bergeijk WA (1962) Evidence that the lateral line organ responds to near-field displacements of sound sources in water. J Acoust Soc Am 34:1831–1841

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan El-S (1985) Mathematical analysis of the stimulus for the lateral line organ. Biol Cybern 52:23–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoin-Radkovski I, Bleckmann H, Schwartz E (1984) Determination of source distance in the surface-feeding fish,Pantodon buchholzi (Pantodontidae). Anim Behav 32:840–851

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuiper JW (1967) Frequency characteristics and functional significance of the lateral line organ. In: Cahn P (ed) Lateral line detectors. Indiana University Press, Bloomington London, pp 105–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Maler L, Karten HJ, Bennett MVL (1973) The central connections of the posterior lateral line nerve ofGnathonemus petersii. J Comp Neurol 151:57–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Maler L, Finger T, Karten HJ (1974) Differential projection of ordinary lateral line receptors and electroreceptors in the gymnotid fishApteronotus (Sternarchus) albifrons. J Comp Neurol 135:315–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Münz H, Claas B (1983) The functional organization of neuromasts in the lateral-line system of a cichlid fish. Adv Vertebrate Neuroethology, Ser A 56:301–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Plassmann W (1980) Central neuronal pathways in the lateral line system ofXenopus laevis. J Comp Physiol 136:203–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Schemmel C (1967) Vergleichende Untersuchungen an den Hautsinnesorganen ober- und unterirdisch lebenderAstyanax-Formen. Z Morphol Tiere 61:255–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz E (1965) Bau und Funktion der Seitenlinie des Streifenhechtlings (Aplocheilus lineatus). Z Vergl Physiol 50:55–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz E (1971) Die Ortung von Wasserwellen durch Oberflächenfische. Z Vergl Physiol 74:64–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Skudrzyk E (1971) The foundation of acoustics. Springer, Wien New York, pp 346 ff

    Google Scholar 

  • Teyke T (1985) Collision with and avoidance of obstacles by blind cave fishAnoptichthys jordani (Characidae). J Comp Physiol A 157:837–843

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissert R, Campenhausen C von (1981) Discrimination between stationary objects by the blind cave fishAnoptichthys jordani (Characidae). J Comp Physiol 143:375–381

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hassan, E.S. On the discrimination of spatial intervals by the blind cave fish (Anoptichthys jordani). J. Comp. Physiol. 159, 701–710 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00612042

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00612042

Keywords

Navigation