The Best-Vision Zones and Visual Resolution of the Retina of Neonatal Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops truncatus.

The topography of ganglion cells in the retina of three neonatal bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus has been studied in retinal wholemounts. Two areas of high ganglion cell density have been identified in the form of local spots in the temporal and nasal quadrants of the retina, near a horizontal diameter at a distance of 10-15 mm from the optical disk. The maximum density of ganglion cells in these areas on average for five preparations is 657 and 636 cells/mm2 in the temporal and nasal quadrants, respectively. The retinal resolution, estimated by the maximum density of ganglion cells and a posterior nodal distance of 13 mm, was 0.17° for the temporal quadrant and 0.18° for the nasal one. These data are comparable with the results for the previously studied adult dolphin and whale species.

Estimates of underwater and aerial visual acuity in the European beaver Castor fiber L. based on morphological data.

The eye optics and topographic distribution of ganglion cells were studied using whole mount preparations from European beaver Castor fiber L. The beaver eye optics provides emmetropia in air and hypermetropia in water. The optometrical measurements predict retinal resolution of the beaver eye around 17' in air and 9' in water. In air, retinal resolution corresponds to the real visual acuity, whereas in water, visual acuity is below the retinal resolution because of the non-precise focusing.

Localization of the high-resolution area in the ganglion cell layer of the Baikal seal Pusa sibirica Gm.1788.

The morphological and functional density of the retinal ganglion cells of the Baikal Lake endemic seal Pusa sibirica was studied using cresyl-violet-stained whole-mounts. An area of the highest concentration of ganglion cells has been identified by drawing up a density map. This was an ellipsoid spot in the upper temporal part of the retina 6-7 mm from the visual nerve output. The maximum cell density in this area was 3800 cells/mm(2). The retinal resolution estimated from the maximum density of ganglion cells and the posterior nodal distance (24 mm) was 2.4' in the water and 3' in the air, and this can be used as an estimation of the retina resolving power.

Ganglion cells density and retinal resolution in the sea otter, Enhydra lutris.

The topographic distribution, density, and size of ganglion cells were studied in retinal wholemounts of the sea otter, Enhydra lutris. The cell distribution showed a well defined horizontal streak of higher cell density, and within this streak, a narrow area of the highest cell density. The peak cell density in this area ranged from 4050 to 4400 cells/mm(2), with a mean of 4225 cells/mm(2). The ganglion cell size ranged from 7 microm to 47 microm but the majority of cells were 7 to 30 microm. Cell size distribution revealed three size groups: 7-16, 17-28, and 29-47 microm. The highest-density area contained mainly small (7-16 microm) cells. The cell-density data predict a retinal resolution around 7' in water. Retinal organization in the sea otter exhibits more properties common with terrestrial rather than aquatic mammals, both in terms of ganglion cell characteristics and in terms of their topographic distribution.

Ganglion cell topography of the retina in the bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus.

The distribution and size of ganglion cells in the retina of the bottlenosed dolphin are described. Ganglion cells concentrate at two spots of the highest density in the nasal and temporal quadrants, 15 to 16 mm (50 to 55 degrees) from the optic disk. The mean peak cell density in both spots is about 670 cells/mm2. With a posterior nodal distance of 14.5 mm (under water), this corresponds to 43 cells/deg2, which provides a retinal resolution of about 9' in water and 12' in air. Mean cell size was from 26 to 31 microns in various parts of the retina.

Peak density, size and regional distribution of ganglion cells in the retina of the fur seal Callorhinus ursinus.

The total number, size, topographic distribution and peak density of ganglion cells were studied in retinal wholemounts of the fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus. The cell distribution showed a distinct zone of high ganglion cell density. It was located in the temporal retinal quadrant, near the horizontal meridian, 10-12 mm (25-31 degrees) from the optic disk. The peak cell density in this zone was 812-1332 cells/mm2 (mean 1053 cells/mm2), i.e. 125-205 cells/deg2 (mean 162 cells/deg2). These data predict a retinal resolution of 5.6-7.1 cycle/deg. The ganglion cell soma size ranged from 10 to 50 microns. Cell size histograms were bimodal in shape with modes below and above 30 microns.

[Laminar distribution of current sources in the superior colliculi of the rabbit upon stimulation of the optic nerve]. / Posloinoe raspredelenie istochnikov toka v verkhnem dvukholmin mozga krolika pri razdrazhenii zritel'nogo nerva.

The evoked potential field in the rabbit superior colliculus was subjected to the current source density analysis to determine the location and sequence of the current sinks and sources after electrical stimulation of the optic nerve. The earliest current sink was observed in the middle part of the stratum griseum superficiale. The later and the most prominent current sinks were observed in the upper part and in the deep part of the stratum griseum superficiale. The time course of the current sinks and sources was in correspondence with the main components of the evoked potential. The results permit indicating the location of afferent synapses and sequence of their activation.