Journal Article
Comparative occular anatomy in a blind African cichlid fish, Lamprologus lethops
Schobert, C.S., Stiassny, M.L.J., Schwab, I.R., Zeiss, C., Schelly, R.C. and Dubielzig, R.R.
Record Number:
3043
Year:
2013
Journal:
Veterinary Ophthalmology
Pages:
359-364
Volume:
16
Abstract:
Abstract
Objective Troglomorphic fishes provide excellent comparative models for studying eye
evolution. We describe the gross and microscopic anatomy of ocular structures of the
depigmented, blind cichlid, Lamprologus lethops, and its putative sister species, Lamprologus
tigripictilis collected from the lower Congo River in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
Procedures Both species were fixed, paraffin-sectioned and stained. Immunohistochemical
staining for rhodopsin markers was also performed.
Results The globe in L. lethops is smaller than its sighted congener and recessed
beneath bone and skin. The scleral profile maintains a wrinkled spherical shape, and
the choroid is occupied by adipose tissue containing no rete mirabilis. The globe in
L. lethops is foreshortened in the anterior–posterior dimension and deviated dorsally
toward the midline with no extraocular muscles. At the posterior pole of the globe,
there is an open periocular space containing no cell bodies. In L. tigripictilis, no choroidal
adipose tissue is seen and a rete mirabilis is present. The retina of L. lethops is
thinner compared with L. tigripictilis. Both species have scleral cartilage and fully
developed lenses. Rhodopsin is present in the inner and outer segments of both
species.
Conclusions Ocular adaptations evolve over time as a response to a life in darkness.
Combining ocular anatomy, developmental data, and genetics will lead to insights
about evolution in these fishes and contribute to understanding how ocular evolution
works in other vertebrates.
Key Words: blind, cichlid, evolution, eye, fish, ocular anatomy
Times Cited:
2
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