Architecture du télencéphale, diencéphale et mésencéphale des Polyptériformes (Osteichthyens, Brachiopterygiens)

Abstract

Architectural pattern of the telencephalon, diecenphalon and mesencephalon of Polypterine fishes (Osteichthyes, Brachiopterygii).

The architectural pattern of the telencephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon was studied in the Polypterine fishes. Brains of Calamoichthys calabaricus and Polypterus senegalus were examined using Golgi-Cox impregnations and Bodian gold-silver staining. The structure of these neural areas resembles the organization in the Actinopterygii and Dipnoi. Nevertheless, relevant peculiarities are evident in the brachiopterygian brain organization, viz. a double olfactory nerve, the torus lateralis of the mesencephalon and a particular shape of the pretectum. Detailed information has been given on the visual system of Calamoichthys and Polypterus both for a better understanding of the problem of the phylogenesis of this neural system and as a basis for further experimental research in this field.