Autonomic innervation and photosensitivity of the sphincter pupillae muscle of two teleosts: Lophius piscatorius and Opsanus tau

Abstract

The irises of both Lophius piscatorius (goosefish) and Opsanus tau (toadfish), like those of many other vertebrates, have a photosensitive sphincter pupillae that responds autonomously to light. The iris also constricts when exposed to either cholinergic or adrenergic agonists. Our data suggest that the adrenergic response is nonspecific and that the irises of both species receive primarily cholinergic innervation. However, both cholinergic and adrenergic agonists are capable of modifying the autonomous response of the iris to light.