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At night, weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii use active electrolocation to scan their environment with self generated electric fields. Nearby objects distort the electric fields and are recognized as electric images on the electroreceptive skin surface of the animal. By analyzing the electric image, G. petersii can sense an object’s distance, dimensions and electrical properties. The principles and algorithms of active electrolocation can be applied to catheter-based sensor systems for analysing wall changes in fluid filled tube systems, for example atherosclerotic plaques of the coronary blood vessels. We used a basic atherosclerosis model of synthetic blood vessels and plaques, which were scanned with a ring electrode catheter applying active electrolocation. Based on the electric images of the plaques and the evaluation of bio-inspired image parameters, the plaque’s fine-structure could be assessed. Our results show that imaging through active electrolocation principally has the potential to detect and characterize atherosclerotic lesions.

Seeing in the Dark Elephantnose fish are known to use electrosensing to navigate their murky freshwater environment. However, unlike some other animals from dark environments, they have retained their eyes and some dependence on vision. While most vertebrate vision optimizes either photon catch (for increased light capture) or visual acuity, Kreysing et al. (p. 1700 ) show that the unique structures of the grouped retinae found in the eyes of this species matches rod and cone sensitivity, which allows for the simultaneous use of both types of photoreceptors over a large range of dim light intensities.

The weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii uses active electrolocation to detect and discriminate between objects in its environment. Objects are recognised by analysing the electric images, which they project onto the fish’s skin. In this study, we determined whether different types of large backgrounds interfere with the fishes’ ability to discriminate between objects. Fish were trained in a food-rewarded two-alternative forced-choice procedure to discriminate between two objects. In subsequent tests, structured and non-structured as well as stationary and moving backgrounds were positioned behind the objects and discrimination performance between objects was measured at different object distances. To define the electrosensory stimuli during the tests, the electric images of the objects and backgrounds used were measured. Without a background G. petersii was able to discriminate between objects up to distances of about 3–4 cm. Even though the electric images of background and object superimposed in a complex way, the addition of stationary structured or plain backgrounds had only minor effects on the range of object discrimination. However, two types of moving backgrounds improved electrolocation by extending the range of object discrimination up to a distance of almost 5 cm. This suggests that movements in the environment plays an important role for object identification and improves figure–ground separation during active electrolocation. 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Active electroreception is an ancestral trait found in many aquatic vertebrates and has evolved independently in two teleost lineages, the Gymnotiformes and the Mormyriformes. Unique to these so-called weakly electric fish is their ability to actively generate electrical currents in the water and sense the electrical properties of the environment. How natural behavior contributes to this sensory system has been of interest to neuroethologists since the pioneering works of Lissmann. Here we report on a mutual modeling and experimental study of the stimuli available during active electrolocation of Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae). We show the validity of the model (I) by demonstrating that localized spatial patterns of object induced modulations in the electric field (electric images) are comparable to experimentally mapped 2-dimensional electric images and (II) by replicating earlier key findings showing that a normalized metric of electric image width provides an unambiguous cue for distance estimation. We then show that electric images and the distance metric vary systematically when an object is moved along the trunk. These potential ambiguities with regard to localization lead us to a spatiotemporal analysis of electric images. We introduce a new temporal metric for distance estimation that is based on the normalized spatial properties of electrical images. Finally, based on a survey of exploratory behavior, we show how objects situated at the tail, a region previously neglected, cast global electric images that extend over the whole sensory epithelium of the animals.

The effects of varying concentrations of three heavy metals (cadmium, chromium and copper) have been examined using two species of weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersi and G. tamandua (Family Mormyridae). Both species are found to be sensitive to the following range of concentrations: cadmium ‐ 100 ‐ 200 μg l‐1, hexavalent and trivalent chromium ‐ 200 ‐ 400 μg l‐1, and copper 5.0 μg l‐1 ‐ 0.1 mg l‐1. Response takes the form of modification of electric organ discharge activity, although the pattern of this response is variable.

Mormyrid fish (Gnathonemus petersii) can discriminate between ohmic and capacitive electrical objects during active electrolocation. The neural basis of this ability was investigated by recording cells in the dorsolateraland medial zones of the electrosensory lobe. Natural electric organ discharges (EODs) distorted by capacitive objects and EODs with computer generated phase shifts were used as stimuli.

Institute for Zoology, Department of Neuroethology/Sensory Ecology, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn,North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyABSTRACT The nocturnally active weakly electric fishGnathonemus petersii is known to employ active electro-location for the detection of objects and for orientation inits environment. The fish emits pulse-type electric signalswith an electric organ and perceives these signals withmore than 3,000 epidermal electroreceptor organs, themormyromasts, which are distributed over the animal’sskin surface. In this study, we measured the metricdimensions of the mormyromasts from different bodyregions to find structural and functional specialization ofthe various body parts. We focused on the two fovealregions of G. petersii, which are located at the elongatedand movable chin (the Schnauzenorgan; SO) and at thenasal region (NR), the skin region between the mouthand the nares. These two foveal regions were compared tothe dorsal part (back) of the fish, which contains typicalnonfoveal mormyromasts. While the gross anatomy of themormyromasts from all skin regions is similar, the metricdimensions of the main substructures differed. The mor-myromasts at the SO are the smallest and contain thesmallest receptor cells. In addition, the number of recep-tor cells per organ is lowest at the SO. In contrast, at theback the biggest receptor organs with the highest amountof receptor cells per organ occur. The mormyromasts atthe NR are in several respects intermediate betweenthose from the back and the SO. However, mormyromastsat the NR are longer than those at all other skin regions,the canal leading from the receptor pore to the innerchambers were the longest and the overlaying epidermallayers are the thickest. These results show that mormyro-masts and the epidermis they are embedded in at bothfoveal regions differ specifically from those found on therest of the body. The morphological specializations lead tofunctional specialization of the two foveae. J. Morphol.273:629–638, 2012.

Two species of weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersi and G. tamandua (Family Mormyridae), have been exposed to differing concentrations of atrazine, atrazine in the presence of cyanide and lindane. Significant responses to concentrations of 0.1 mgl‐1 and 0.05 mgl‐1 of both compounds were measured as modification of the electric organ discharge (EOD) rate. Applications of 0.05 mgl‐1 atrazine plus 0.1 mgl‐1 cyanide have a synergistic effect on sensitivity of response.

Abstract. Newly imported, adult weakly discharging electric fish Gnathonemus petersii , were examined for sex differences in the waveform of their electric organ discharge and in external morphology. The discharge waveform of gonadally ripe subjects are quantitatively described at three stages corresponding to the Nigerian pre-rainy, rainy breeding, and post-rainy season in 1988. A sex difference was found in external morphology, with males displaying a distinct indentation at the dorsal margin of the anal fin, regardless of season. Pronounced sex differences in electric organ discharges were found only in fish imported during the Nigerian rainy season, and only in two phase of the tetraphasic discharge, with males exhibiting longer durations of phases 2 and 3. These sex differences were reflected in the Fourier transformation, with male discharges exhibiting lower peak power spectral frequencies than those of females. No sex differences were found in total duration of the electric discharge. Correlations between the electric discharge measures and fish length, as well as between the discharge measures themselves, revealed relationships which varied in both direction and degree as a function of sex and/or season. These results indicate that the duration of individual phases, rather than the entire duration of the electric organ discharge, function in the communication of sex differences in this mormyrid species. Previous work has shown that phase durations of the electric discharge are steroid-dependent and therefore indicative of physiological states of the animal. Thus, the kinds of information conveyed during breeding and non-breeding seasons may be quite different, given great differences in gonadal steroid levels. These findings explain previously unsuccessful attempts to find sex differences as well as a report of a sex difference in a direction opposite to that shown here in G. petersii.

Weakly electric fish can perceive electric properties of objects by monitoring the responses of their epidermal electroreceptors (mormyromasts) to their own electric organ discharges (EOD), a process known as active electrolocation. Mormyrid fish can distinguish capacitative from resistive properties of objects. It is mainly animate objects that possess capacitative properties. Water conductivity is a critical environmental factor that varies widely from season to season and has strong effects on the emitted EOD. The two goals of this study were: (1) to investigate the ability of Gnathonemus petersii to detect the properties of capacitative objects in waters of different ion content and (2) to test a recently formulated hypothesis which states that the detection of the features of a capacitative object depends on a comparison of the inputs from the two types of mormyromast primary afferents. Individuals of G. petersii were tested in a conditioned electrolocation procedure. With increasing water conductivities from 50 to 1100 μS cm−1, EOD amplitude decreased and the detection threshold for small capacitances increased. At 50 μS cm−1, the smallest detectable capacitative value was below 0.5nF; this increased to about 20nF at 800 μS cm−1. When conductivity approached about 1000 μS cm−1, fish were no longer able to electrolocate, probably because of the reduction in EOD amplitude at high conductivities. The fish’s ability to discriminate a capacitative object unequivocally from every resistive object was also tested at different conductivities. Below about 800 μS cm−1, all fish could do so. Above that conductivity, however, fish could no longer discriminate between capacitative and resistive objects of similar impedance, although they could still discriminate between objects of different impedances. The two types of receptor afferents (from the ‘A’ and ‘B’ cells) of mormyromast electroreceptor organs have different thresholds, with the B afferents being more sensitive. I suggest that only the B receptor cells remain active at about 800 μS cm-1, when the EOD amplitude is much reduced. With input from B afferents only, an unambiguous capacitance detection was no longer possible. This supports the hypothesis that capacitance detection is achieved by comparing inputs of A and B electroreceptor cells.

Summary At a time when environmental pollution is a major issue the need for suitable monitoring systems has become paramount. There are in existence a number of methods for determining pollution levels in surface waters, however they often lack in specificity. Biological systems, therefore, are often deemed most suitable. Many organisms may be used as biosensors but studies incorporating fish have been most prevalent to monitor ventilatory response, activity levels, avoidance or rheotactic behaviour. More recently, work has concentrated on the use of the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus, (family Mormyridae), which is characterised by the possession of electric organs near the tail. The fish use these electric organs to generate and transmit small electrical impulses, less than IV, into the surrounding water to communicate and navigate. Changes in the rate of pulsing can be used to identify the presence of certain chemicals in the water source.

1. Experiment 1 employed a repeated measures design to examine the effects of captivity on sex differences in the electric organ discharge (EOD) of Gnathonemus petersii, newly imported from Africa, and maintained individually or in groups. 2. On the day of import, males exhibited longer durations of phases 2 and 3 of the EOD and lower peak power spectral frequencies (PPSFs) than females. 3. After 14 days in captivity in the laboratory, the sex differences were eliminated. After 37 days of captivity, all sex differences were still abolished, or even reversed depending on housing conditions. Males exhibited the most dramatic changes in EODs and females appeared to have higher testosterone (T) levels than males. 4. Experiment 2 was designed to investigate the effects of captivity on both behavior and endocrine status in 58 newly imported males. In this independent group design, EOD data and blood were collected from subjects over 15 days. 5. Decreases in phase 3 of the EOD and increases in PPSFs progressed over the 15 day experimental period, becoming statistically significant by days 10 and 15, respectively. Regardless of housing conditions, both T and 11-keto T dramatically decreased to near non-detectable levels by Day 5 in the laboratory. 6. Captivity causes rapid and profound changes in the endocrine system which result in dramatic changes in steroid-sensitive EODs. These findings directly link captivity, hormones, and behavior, and show why feral animals brought into captivity usually do not exhibit sexual behavior.

Weakly electric fish use active electrolocation for object detection and orientation in their environment even in complete darkness. The African mormyrid Gnathonemus petersii can detect object parameters, such as material, size, shape and distance. Here, we tested whether individuals of this species can learn to identify 3-dimensional objects independently of the training conditions and independently of the object’s position in space (rotation-invariance; size-constancy). Individual G. petersii were trained in a two-alternative forced-choice procedure to electrically discriminate between a 3-dimensional object (S+) and several alternative objects (S-). Fish were then tested whether they could identify the S+ among novel objects and whether single components of S+ were sufficient for recognition. Size-constancy was investigated by presenting the S+ together with a larger version at different distances. Rotation-invariance was tested by rotating S+ and/or S- in 3D. Our results show that electrolocating G. petersii could (1) recognize an object independently of the S- used during training. When only single components of a complex S+ were offered, recognition of S+ was more or less affected depending on which part was used. (2) Object-size was detected independently of object distance, i.e. fish showed size-constancy. (3) The majority of the fishes tested recognized their S+ even if it was rotated in space, i.e., these fishes showed rotation-invariance. (4) Object recognition was restricted to the near field around the fish and failed when objects were moved more than about 4 cm away from the animals. Our results indicate that even in complete darkness our G. petersii were capable of complex 3-dimensional scene perception using active electrolocation.

Weakly electric fish emit electric signals with an electric organ in their tail and perceive them with cutaneous electroreceptor organs. During active electrolocation, objects are detected and analyzed because they distort the self-produced electrical field and project electric images onto the electroreceptive skin surface. To optimize electrical imaging of the environment, the fish perform certain electromotor and locomotor behaviors (probing motor acts). For fine spatial analysis, the mormyrid Gnathonemus petersii focuses electric images of objects onto two ‘foveal’ skin regions: the ‘Schnauzenorgan’ and the ‘nasal region.’ Sudden emergences of novel stimuli evoke the so-called novelty responses (electromotor) and Schnauzenorgan responses (movements of the chin).

Most of the information about the anatomy of the fish's cranial nerves was collected in the first two decades of this century. Experimental analysis of the VIIth, IXth, and Xth cranial nerves by modern tract tracing techniques started about 20 years ago. Several species have been investigated to date, including one species of Agnatha (Myxinoidea), two species of elasmo-branchs, and species of some orders of Teleostei like Cyprinidae, Siluriformes, Perciformes, and Gadidae. The Sensory and motor nuclei of the VIIth, IXth, and Xth cranial nerves of Gnathonemus petersii were studied by anterograde and retrograde axoplasmatic transport of horseradish peroxidase and cobaltous lysine complex. The sensory nuclei form a continuous column of cells in the brain stem extending caudal to the obex. The rostral one-fourth of this column is occupied by the overlapping terminals of the VIIth and IXth nerves. The vagus nerve has 5 roots. The first 4 of these innervate the gills and the fifth supplies viscera. Afferents from the gills terminate ipsilaterally rostral to the obex in topographic order and their terminal fields overlap. Viscerosensory fibers terminate ipsilaterally in the obex region and bilaterally in the commissural nucleus of Cajal. The facial motor nucleus is located rostral to the sensory nucleus. Facial motoneurons have pear-shaped and multipolar perikarya. Their axons form a rostrally directed knee before leaving the brain. The motoneurons of the IXth and Xth nerves have a common cell column. The vagal motoneurons form a periventricular, a medial, and an intermediate cell group rostral to the obex. In the obex region and also caudal to it, a lateral and a caudal group can be distinguished. Vagal motoneurons show a topographic arrangement that is similar to that of the sensory vagal projections. The majority of motoneurons have pear-shaped perikarya and ventrolaterally oriented dendrites. In the caudal nucleus the dendrites extend dorsally and overlap the terminals of sensory fibers. The axons form a dorsolaterally directed arch before joining the sensory roots. Since G. petersii uses its electrosensory system primarily for detection of food, its gustatory system is less developed than in other fishes, which possess a large number of taste buds. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Gnathonemus petersii discriminates between ohmic and capacitive objects. To investigate the sensory basis of this discrimination we recorded from primary afferents that innervate either A or B mormyromast sensory cells. Modified and natural electric organ discharges were used as stimuli. In both A and B fibres frequencies below the peak-power frequency (3.8 to 4.5 kHz) of the electric organ discharge caused minimal first-spike latencies and a maximum number of spikes. A fibres did not discriminate phase-shifted stimuli, whereas B fibres responded significantly with a decrease in first-spike latency if the phase shift was only — 1°. In both A and B fibres an amplitude increase caused a decrease in spike latency and an increase in spike number; an amplitude decrease had the reverse effect. If stimulated with quasi-natural electric organ discharges distorted by capacitive objects, the responses of A fibres decreased with increasing signal distortion. In contrast, the responses of B fibres increased until amplitude effects began to dominate. Gnathonemus may use the physiological differences between A and B fibres to detect and discriminate between capacitive and purely ohmic objects.

The response of the tropical mormyrid fish, Gnathonemus tamandua, to variations in pH (within a range of 4.5 to 9.0) at a constant temperature of 27.5°C ± 0.5°C has been evaluated. Fluctuations in electric organ discharge (EOD) were detected using plate electrodes and a microcomputer produced counts as pulses per minute (PPM). The introduction of alkaline conditions (up to pH 9.0) significantly increased the rate of EOD while acidity (down to pH 4.5) acted to reduce it. The optimum pH for stable pulsing was established at 7.1.

The present paper describes the location, morphology, ultrastructure and immunocytochemical properties of neurons in the brain of the mormyrid fish Gnathonemus petersii, that appear to be unspecifically immunoreactive to a number of secondary or tertiary antibodies used in immunohistochemical procedures, including rabbit-anti-mouse immunoglobulins (IGGs), rabbit peroxidase-anti-peroxidase IGGs, and rabbit-anti-sheep or sheep peroxidase-anti-peroxidase IGGs. Unspecifically immunoreactive (UI) cells have typically neuronal morphological and ultrastructural characteristics, and occur at four specific locations in the mormyrid brain. A small rhombencephalic group is located rostrolateral to the efferent octaval nucleus, between the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis and the decussation of the lateral lemniscus. A mesencephalic cluster of cells is located in the dorsal midbrain tegmentum against the tractus telencephalo-mesencephalicus. In addition, dispersed UI neurons were observed in the nucleus lateralis of the torus semicircularis and in the preoptic region above the optic chiasm. Remarkably, UI cells are clearly present in a substantial number of brains investigated, but not detectable in others. The present findings point to a curious pitfall in chemical neuroanatomy, the functional significance of which is unknown at present. In several previous studies using the brain of G. petersii, UI cells were abusively included in the description of monoaminergic cell groups. Similar cells have until now not been reported in other vertebrate brains.

Immunocytochemistry has demonstrated unexpected heterogeneity among cerebellar Purkinje cells. For example, monoclonal antibody Mab anti-zebrin II reveals parasagittal bands of immunoreactive Purkinje cells in the mammalian cerebellum, but reveals a non-sagittal cerebellar compartmentation pattern in goldfish and gymnotiform fish. The present paper investigates the cerebellar compartmentation pattern, as reflected in the zebrin II distribution, in two other teleosts, the electric mormyrid fish Gnathonemus petersii with its large and regularly built gigantocerebellum, and the electrosensory osteoglossomorph teleost Xenomystis nigri, by using light as well as electron microscopic immunohistochemical techniques. Zebrin II is expressed only in Purkinje cells, where it is present in the cytoplasm of all neuronal compartments, including spines, distal and proximal dendrites, the cell body, and the initial part, as well as terminal boutons of the axon. Other types of cerebellar neurons, including the eurydendroid projection neurons, are zebrin II-negative. In Gnathonemus, zebrin II-positive Purkinje cells are present in the large caudolateral part of the valvula, in lobes C2, C3, and C4 of the corpus, and in the anterior as well as the posterior part of the caudal cerebellar lobe. Zebrin II-negative Purkinje cells are present in a continuous region encompassing the rostromedial part of the valvula, the lobus transitorius, lobe C1 and the ventral part of lobe C2, and in a small, lateral zone of the posterior part of the caudal lobe. In Xenomystis, all Purkinje cells, including those in the medial valvula and the posterior part of the caudal lobe, appear to react with mab anti-zebrin II. This more widespread distribution may be due to the presence of a second antigenic polypeptide in this species. On the basis of the present findings, it is concluded that the mormyrid lobus transitorius, lobe C1, and the ventral part of lobe C2 probably belong to the valvula, while the corpus is restricted to the dorsal part of lobe C2, lobe C3, and lobe C4. The functional significance of zebrin II expression for different subsets of teleostean Purkinje cells remains unclear, since comparisons of different teleosts reveal no general correlation with particular afferent or efferent connections, nor with special morphological features such as a dendritic palisade pattern or different arrangements of the Purkinje cell bodies. A comparison between mammals and teleosts suggests that a distinct parasagittal cerebellar zonation in teleosts is absent, and the major part of the teleostean cerebellum may be considered as a single (midsagittal) cerebellar zone, with about the same width as one mammalian parasagittal zone.

1. l. Specimens of Gnathonemus petersii were restrained for recording ECG, EOD, cerebellar and telencephalic EEG responses to experimental, environmental stimuli. 2. 2. All novel stimuli induced a bradycardia and increase in EOD discharge rate. 3. 3. Subsequently alumina was topically applied to the brain, inducing electroencephalographic seizures after 5 hr. 4. 4. Seizures were most evident in the cerebellar EEG where they followed a large rise in the rate of EODs, which then ceased. 5. 5. In most animals seizures were terminal. EOD rates may be useful quantitative measures of arousal and seizures.

The African weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii is well known for its electrosensory capabilities. These animals can detect and distinguish objects through active electrolocation in complete darkness. Because of their nocturnal lifestyle, a low contribution of vision for orientation and object detection has been expected. However, as we show in this review, the retina of G. petersii is highly specialized with hundreds of rods and tens of cones grouped together in bundles in a complex way, ensheathed by a tapetum lucidum. The structure of the bundles goes beyond what would be expected if only photon catch was supposed to be increased. During daytime, the structure of these "macro-receptors" changes dramatically depending on retinomotor movements. During the day, the rods and cones are located in different compartments of the bundle, separated by a narrow canal in the form of a "bottle neck". Investigations on cell structure and neurochemistry in the retina indicate a general organization that is simpler in terms of bipolar and ganglion cell diversity than in tetrachromatic species such as goldfish, yet similar in terms of neurochemical differentiation of amacrine cells. In both respects, the inner retina of the elephantnose fish bears the greatest similarity to catfish and some deep-sea fish retinae. Neuronal circuits and bundle structure give hints of possible adaptations for contrast and/or movement detection. Behavioral experiments suggest that, in contrast to the vision specialists Lepomis gibbosus, pattern detection of G. petersii is not affected by higher spatial frequencies. A pattern of low spatial frequencies, however, was equally well detected by G. petersii and L. gibbosus. Optomotor response experiments indicate that motion vision is important for Gnathonemus, narrowing down the search for the functional specialization of the Gnathonemus retina and providing a starting point for work on multisensory integration in these fish.

The length-weight relatonship and condition factor of four mormyrid species namely Mormyrus rume, Hyperopisus bebe, Campylomormyrus tamandua and Gnathonemus petersii from Anambra river were investigated from October 2002 to March 2004. In al400 species M. rume, 384 H. bebe417 C. tamandua and 335 G. petersii were sampled for the study Length-weigh relationship showed that the exponent “b,\' were 3.067, 2.459, 3.201 and 3.114 for M. rume, H. bebe, C. tamandua and G. petersii respectively. The mormyrid species studied with exception of H. bebe exhibited isometric growth and the correlation coefficients were positive and highly sgnificant (P < 0.05). The condtion factor (k) varied from 0.69 ± 0.22 in G. petersii to 1.17 ± 0.59 in M. rume. There were no significant difference in the mean condition facor between themales and females inall the mormyrid species. The importance of condition factor in the breeding activities o the mormyrid species revealed that not much energy s diverted into gonad synthesis and maturation during the breeding cycle season. Keywords: Mormyrids, Length-weight relationship, Condition factorAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (1) 2006 pp. 426-430

This chapter reviews visual functions of the pallium of teleost fishes. Information derives from studies utilizing three major groups of fishes: the Osteoglossomorpha or bony tongues, which include mormyrid weakly electric fishes (most notably the elephant-nose, Gnathonemus petersii); the Otophysi, which include catfish, minnows, and gymnotid weakly electric fishes; and the Percomorpha, the most derived of the bony fishes. Comparisons between the groups are complicated by differences in the preglomerular and/or thalamic nuclei that function as links between the tectum and pallium. Nevertheless similarities are apparent. Ipsilateral tectal information is projected to the dorsal part of the lateral pallium (dDl) via preglomerular nuclei in representatives of all three groups of fishes. The most differentiated system is a pathway from the tectum to a highly developed preglomerular cell group, the nucleus prethalamicus (PTH), to an enlarged dDl in the squirrelfish. The PTH is probably homologous to part of the anterior preglomerular nucleus of other percomorphs and possibly other tectal recipient preglomerular nuclei in the two other groups of fishes. In some coral reef percomorphs (e.g., squirrelfishes and surgeonfishes) the dDl is highly differentiated, obtaining a “cortical-like” appearance with vertical (radial) columns as well as horizontal lamination. Recent electrophysiological studies in percomorphs confirm the visual input to the area. The major output pathway from the typical cortical-like cells of dDl (at least in certain percomorphs and otophysians) is to an adjacent large-celled dorsal portion of the central palliai nuclear complex (dDc). This area projects to several layers in the ipsilateral tectum. Stimulation of the dDc has a profound effect on tectal activity. The pathway in squirrelfish appears to be topographically organized. These animals also have an additional connection between the regions in the form of unique specialized “bridge cells” that have processes in both dDl and dDc. Thus, at least for advanced percomorphs, the current evidence supports a reciprocal pallial-tectal interconnection or “vision loop.” Visual information is also projected to the dorsomedial pallium (dDm) and probably dDl by thalamic nuclei, most notably the ventromedial nucleus (VMN). The VMN pathways are probably multisensory in nature. Connections between the dDm and the dDl in a number of fishes may also provide substrates for integration of visual and other types of sensory information (e.g., acoustic and electrosensory).

SUMMARYWeakly electric fish generate electric fields with an electric organ and perceive them with cutaneous electroreceptors. During active electrolocation,nearby objects are detected by the distortions they cause in the electric field. The electrical properties of objects, their form and their distance,can be analysed and distinguished. Here we focus on Gnathonemus petersii (Günther 1862), an African fish of the family Mormyridae with a characteristic chin appendix, the Schnauzenorgan. Behavioural and anatomical results suggest that the mobile Schnauzenorgan and the nasal region serve special functions in electroreception, and can therefore be considered as electric foveae. We investigated passive pre-receptor mechanisms that shape and enhance the signal carrier. These mechanisms allow the fish to focus the electric field at the tip of its Schnauzenorgan where the density of electroreceptors is highest (tip-effect). Currents are funnelled by the open mouth (funnelling-effect), which leads to a homogenous voltage distribution in the nasal region. Field vectors at the trunk, the nasal region and the Schnauzenorgan are collimated but differ in the angle at which they are directed onto the sensory surface. To investigate the role of those pre-receptor effects on electrolocation, we recorded electric images of objects at the foveal regions. Furthermore, we used a behavioural response(novelty response) to assess the sensitivity of different skin areas to electrolocation stimuli and determined the receptor densities of these regions. Our results imply that both regions – the Schnauzenorgan and the nasal region – can be termed electric fovea but they serve separate functions during active electrolocation.

Weakly electric fish can serve as model systems for active sensing because they actively emit electric signals into the environment, which they also perceive with more than 2000 electroreceptor organs (mormyromasts) distributed over almost their entire skin surface. In a process called active electrolocation, animals are able to detect and analyse objects in their environment, which allows them to perceive a detailed electrical picture of their surroundings even in complete darkness. The African mormyrid fish Gnathonemus petersii can not only detect nearby objects, but in addition can perceive other properties such as their distance, their complex electrical impedance, and their three-dimensional shape. Because most of the sensory signals the fish perceive during their nightly activity period are self-produced, evolution has shaped and adapted the mechanisms for signal production, signal perception and signal analysis by the brain. Like in many other sensory systems, so-called prereceptor mechanisms exist, which passively improve the sensory signals in such a way that the signal carrier is optimized for the extraction of relevant sensory information. In G. petersii prereceptor mechanisms include properties of the animal's skin and internal tissue and the shape of the fish's body. These lead to a specific design of the signal carrier at different skin regions of the fish, preparing them to perform certain detection tasks. Prereceptor mechanisms also ensure that the moveable skin appendix of G. petersii, the 'Schnauzenorgan', receives an optimal sensory signal during all stages of its movement. Another important aspect of active sensing in G. petersii concerns the locomotor strategies during electrolocation. When foraging, the animals adopt a particular position with the body slanted forward bringing the so-called 'nasal region' in a position to examine the environment in front of and at the side of the fish. Simultaneously, the Schnauzenorgan performs rhythmic left-right searching movements. When an object of interest is encountered, the Schnauzenorgan is brought in a twitching movement towards the object and is moved over it for further exploration. The densities of electroreceptor organs is extraordinary high at the Schnauzenorgan and, to a lesser extend, at the nasal region. In these so-called foveal regions, the mormyromasts have a different morphology compared to other parts of the electroreceptive skin. Our results on mormyromast density and morphology, prereceptor mechanisms and electric images, central processing of electroreceptive information, and on behavioural strategies of G. petersii lead us to formulate the hypothesis that these fish possess two separate electric foveae, each of which is specialized for certain perceptional tasks.

Three weakly electric fish (Gnathonemus petersii) were force-choice trained in a two-alternative procedure to discriminate between objects differing in their electrical characteristics. The objects were carbon dipoles in plexiglass tubing (length 2.5 cm, diameter 0.6 cm). Their electrical characteristics could be changed by varying the impedance of an external circuit to which they were connected (Fig. 1). In one (the ‘capacitance dipole’) the resistance was very low(< 3 Ω) and the capcitance variable. In the other (the ‘resistance dipole’) the resistance was variable and the capacitance low (

Mormyrids are one of two groups of teleost fishes known to have evolved electroreception, and the concomitant neuroanatomical changes have confounded the interpretation of many of their brain areas in a comparative context, e.g., the diencephalon, where different sensory systems are processed and relayed. Recently, cerebellar and retinal connections of the diencephalon in mormyrids were reported. The present study reports on the telencephalic and tectal connections, specifically in Gnathonemus petersii, as these data are critical for an accurate interpretation of diencephalic nuclei in teleosts. Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the telencephalon retrogradely labeled neurons ipsilaterally in various thalamic, preglomerular, and tuberal nuclei, the nucleus of the locus coeruleus (also contralaterally), the superior raphe, and portions of the nucleus lateralis valvulae. Telencephalic injections anterogradely labeled the dorsal preglomerular and the dorsal tegmental nuclei bilaterally. Injections into the optic tectum retrogradely labeled neurons bilaterally in the central zone of area dorsalis telencephali and ipsilaterally in the torus longitudinalis, various thalamic, pretectal, and tegmental nuclei, some nuclei in the torus semicircularis, the nucleus of the locus coeruleus, the nucleus isthmi and the superior reticular formation, basal cells in the ipsilateral valvula cerebelli, and eurydendroid cells in the contralateral lobe C4 of the corpus cerebelli. Weaker contralateral projections were also observed to arise from the ventromedial thalamus and various pretectal and tegmental nuclei, and from the locus coeruleus and superior reticular formation. Tectal injections anterogradely labeled various pretectal nuclei bilaterally, as well as ipsilaterally the dorsal preglomerular and dorsal posterior thalamic nuclei, some nuclei in the torus semicircularis, the dorsal tegmental nucleus, nucleus isthmi, and, again bilaterally, the superior reticular formation. A comparison of retinal, cerebellar, tectal, and telencephalic connections in Gnathonemus with those in nonelectrosensory teleosts reveals several points: (1) the visual area of the diencephalon is highly reduced in Gnathonemus, (2) the interconnections between the preglomerular area and telencephalon in Gnathonemus are unusually well developed compared to those in other teleosts, and (3) two of the three corpopetal diencephalic nuclei are homologues of the central and dorsal periventricular pretectum in other teleosts. The third is a subdivision of the preglomerular area, rather than an accessory optic or pretectal nucleus, and is related to electroreception. The preglomerulo-cerebellar connections in Gnathonemus are therefore interpreted as uniquely derived characters for mormyrids.

The receptive field of a sensory neuron is known as that region in sensory space where a stimulus will alter the response of the neuron. We determined the spatial dimensions and the shape of receptive fields of electrosensitive neurons in the medial zone of the electrosensory lateral line lobe of the African weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii, by using single cell recordings. The medial zone receives input from sensory cells which encode the stimulus amplitude. We analysed the receptive fields of 71 neurons. The size and shape of the receptive fields were determined as a function of spike rate and first spike latency and showed differences for the two analysis methods used. Spatial diameters ranged from 2 to 36 mm (spike rate) and from 2.45 to 14.12 mm (first spike latency). Some of the receptive fields were simple consisting only of one uniform centre, whereas most receptive fields showed a complex and antagonistic centre-surround organisation. Several units had a very complex structure with multiple centres and surrounding-areas. While receptive field size did not correlate with peripheral receptor location, the complexity of the receptive fields increased from rostral to caudal along the fish's body.

International audience; Weakly electric fish react to resistance and capacitance of objects that locally amplify and distort their self-generated Electric Organ Discharge (EOD) received by their skin receptors. The successive-layer structure of tissues gives certain biological materials a kind of electrical anisotropy. A polarized object, for instance, will conduct current differently in one versus the other direction. This diode-like electric anisotropy should make a significant difference to a Mormyrid who emits a directional, biphasic EOD and whose receptors are sensitive to EOD amplitude and distortion changes. The ability of Gnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae) to discriminate polarity was investigated on a virtual object by manipulating changes in a circuit comprised of diodes combined in various ways. The “novelty response,” an increase in the discharge rate in response to perceived changes, was used to assess the fish’s sensitivity. Indeed, G. petersii detects polarized objects and discriminates between polarity directions. However, the diode-like anisotropy entails a voltage threshold. Because voltage decreases with distance, and the EOD comprises opposite phases of different amplitudes, the active spaces of detection and discrimination are different and depend on the object orientation. Electric polarity thus extends the “palette” of dielectric properties used by this fish to evaluate object quality, direction, and distance.

Forlim CG, Pinto RD, Varona P, Rodríguez FB (2015) Delay-Dependent Response in Weakly Electric Fish under Closed-Loop Pulse Stimulation. PLoS ONE 10(10): e0141007. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141007, In this paper, we apply a real time activity-dependent protocol to study how freely swimming weakly electric fish produce and process the timing of their own electric signals. Specifically, we address this study in the elephant fish, Gnathonemus petersii, an animal that uses weak discharges to locate obstacles or food while navigating, as well as for electro-communication with conspecifics. To investigate how the inter pulse intervals vary in response to external stimuli, we compare the response to a simple closed-loop stimulation protocol and the signals generated without electrical stimulation. The activity-dependent stimulation protocol explores different stimulus delivery delays relative to the fish’s own electric discharges. We show that there is a critical time delay in this closed-loop interaction, as the largest changes in inter pulse intervals occur when the stimulation delay is below 100 ms. We also discuss the implications of these findings in the context of information processing in weakly electric fish.

Publisher Summary Many groups of fishes perceive naturally occurring electric stimuli. They possess ampullary electroreceptor organs that respond to low‐frequency electric fields. Two nocturnally active teleost groups produce weak electric signals (electric organ discharges, EOD), which they perceive with tuberous electroreceptor organs. In addition to “passive electrolocation,” these weakly electric fish perform “active electrolocation,” during which they detect alterations of their EOD caused by nearby objects. This enables them to perceive the complex impedance of objects and thus to identify animated objects. In addition, they can measure distance, size, shape, and other 3D object properties. When inspecting an object, the weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii employs two “electrical foveae" that are located on their moveable chin appendage and in the nasal region. The former is used for object inspection, while the latter is used for object detection during foraging. The brain of weakly electric fishes extracts information about objects by analyzing the input from the electroreceptor organs. The study of electroreceptive brain areas has revealed many general principals of neural processing of sensory and motor information.

Contains fulltext : 35390.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) The effects of anesthesia with etomidate on the cellular mechanisms of sensory processing and sensorimotor coordination have been studied in the active electric sense of the mormyrid fish Gnathonemus petersii. Like many anesthetics, etomidate is known to potentiate GABA(A) receptors, but little is known about the effects on sensory processing at the systems level. A better understanding is necessary for experimental studies of sensory processing, in particular regarding possible effects on the dynamic structure of excitatory and inhibitory receptive fields and to improve the knowledge of the mechanisms of anesthesia in general. Etomidate slowed the electromotor discharge rhythm, probably because of feedback inhibition at the premotor level, but did not alter the structure of the electromotor command. Sensory translation through primary afferents projecting to the cerebellum-like electrosensory lobe (ELL) was not changed. However, central interneurons and projection neurons were hyperpolarized under etomidate, and their spiking activity was reduced. Although the spatial extent and the center/surround organization of sensory receptive fields were not changed, initial excitatory responses were followed by prolonged inhibition. Corollary discharge input to ELL was maintained, and the temporal sequence of excitatory and inhibitory components of this descending signal remained intact. Later inhibitory corollary discharge responses were prolonged by several hundred milliseconds. The result was that excitatory reafferent sensory input was conserved with enhanced precision of timing, whereas background activity was greatly reduced. Anti-Hebbian synaptic plasticity evoked by association of sensory and corollary discharge input was still present under anesthesia, and differences compared with the nonanesthetized condition are discussed.

Fish in the family Mormyridae produce weak electric organ discharges that are used in orientation and communication. The peripheral and central anatomy of the electrosensory system has been well studied in the species Gnathonemus petersii, but comparative studies in other species are scarce. Here we report on one genus of mormyrid that displays a remarkable change in the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL), the hypertrophied rhombencephalic structure that receives primary electroreceptor input. Although all other mormyrids studied have three distinct zones on each side of the ELL, fish of the genus Stomatorhinus exhibit only two. Therefore, the two-zone ELL is a unique derived characteristic shared by Stomatorhinus. We examined the cutaneous electroreceptors that project to the ELL in Stomatorhinus. All three types of electroreceptors previously described for G. petersii were present, but there was a significant change in one type, the mormyromast. Both mormyromast sensory cell types (A- and B-cells) are present, but the B-cell is not innervated in Stomatorhinus. We conclude that, although all cutaneous sensory cells are present, the missing B-cell afferents account for the loss of the dorsolateral zone of the ELL, and therefore the loss of an entire sensory map. Because mormyromasts are involved in electrolocation behavior, this anatomical difference is probably related to differences in electrolocation abilities. Stomatorhinus could prove to be an excellent system for linking evolutionary changes in behavior with modifications in their neural substrates.

SUMMARY Spike timing-dependent plasticity that follows anti-Hebbian rules has been demonstrated at synapses between parallel fibers and inhibitory interneurons known as medium ganglionic layer (MG) neurons in the cerebellum-like electrosensory lobe of mormyrid fish. This plasticity is expressed when presynaptic activation is associated with a characteristically broad,postsynaptic action potential, lasting 7-15 ms, occurring within a window of up to 60-80 ms following synaptic activation. Since the site of plastic change is presumably in the apical dendrites, it is important to know where, when and how this broad spike is generated and the manner in which such events propagate within the intrinsic network of the electrosensory lobe. The electrosensory lobe has a strict layered organization that makes the preparation suitable for one dimension current source density analysis. Using this technique in an `in vitro' interface slice preparation, we found that following either parallel fiber stimulation or an orthogonal field stimulus, a sink appeared in the ganglionic layer and propagated into the molecular layer. Intracellular records from MG somata showed these stimuli evoked broad action potentials whose timing corresponds to this sink. TTX application in the deep fiber layer blocked the synaptically evoked ganglionic layer field potential and the `N3' wave of the outer molecular layer field potential simultaneously, while the molecular layer`N1' and `N2' waves corresponding to synaptic activation of the apical dendrites remained intact. These results confirm the hypothesis that the broad spikes of MG cells originate in the soma and propagate through the molecular layer in the apical dendritic tree, and suggest the possibility that this backpropagation may contribute to `boosting' of the synaptic response in distal apical dendrites in certain circumstances.

A preliminary investigation into the fisheries potentials of Doma Lake in Nasarawa State, Nigeria was carried out from July to December 2000. Values of physico-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity and free carbon dioxide) did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) between the sampling months. A total of 8 families made up of 11 genera and 16 species of fish were recorded in the lake. The family Cichlidae (67.56%) dominated while the family Hepsetidae was the least (0.45%). Length-weight regression analysis showed that six species of fish ( Gnathonemus niger, Channa obscura, Hepsetus odoe, Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia monodi and Tilapia zilli ) exhibited positive allometric growth. Barilius niloticus showed negative allometric growth while Hemichromis bimaculatus showed isometric growth pattern. The mean standard length and weights of most of the species of fish correlated strongly except that of Barilius niloticus , which correlated weakly. The condition factor ( K ) showed that the smaller sized fishes thrived better in the lake. There were more male than female fish in the lake. Gnathonemus niger exhibited the highest fecundity while the lowest fecundity was observed in Hemichromis fasciatus and Tilapia zilli . The implications of the findings are discussed. Key Words: Fisheries potentials, Doma Lake, Nigeria Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.19(2) 2004: 59-64

SUMMARY African weakly discharging electric fish (Mormyridae) use their self-generated electric signals and electroreceptive abilities for orientation and communication in the context of courtship and territorial interactions. This paper documents socially mediated changes in the electric organ discharge(EOD) of subadult Gnathonemus petersii under non-breeding environmental conditions. Increases in EOD duration and changes in the relative phase amplitudes occurred in dominant fish during same-sex(male–male, female–female) and opposite-sex interactions. Similar changes were also observed in fish that were restricted in their physical interactions, suggesting that direct contact is not necessary to induce dominance-typical EOD waveforms. The possible communicative functions of these changes are discussed.

SUMMARYAfrican mormyrids, such as Gnathonemus petersii, migrate:nocturnally, from daytime shelters to find food and return by morning, and seasonally, spawning in swamps flooded during the rainy season. The present study examined whether the fish use landmarks detected viaelectrolocation to locate an aperture, whether they detect changes in landmark size and respond appropriately, whether landmarks or hydrostatic pressure are the primary cues for navigation and whether fish of different developmental stages behave differently with respect to landmarks and navigation. The fish's task was to locate and swim through a circular aperture in a wall dividing an aquarium into two compartments. Two groups of fish were trained to find the aperture with a landmark present, while a control group had no such landmark. The water level remained constant throughout training. At the end of training,the fish's task was to locate the aperture after the landmark size had changed or the water level had increased. The results show that G. petersiiuse landmarks to orient and navigate. They can detect changes in landmark size and will modify their locomotor behaviour to integrate the change into an internal representation. If the water level changes, increasing hydrostatic pressure, the fish orient to a landmark, if present. If no landmark is present, the fish rely on an internal representation oriented to hydrostatic pressure. Larger, early-adult G. petersii located the aperture faster than smaller, sub-adult fish.

SUMMARYSeveral insects use template-matching systems to recognize objects or environmental landmarks by comparing actual and stored retinal images. Such systems are not viewpoint-invariant and are useful only when the locations in which the images have been stored and where they are later retrieved coincide. Here, we describe that a vertebrate, the weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii, appears to use template-matching to recognize visual patterns that it had previously viewed from a fixed vantage point. This fish is nocturnal and uses its electrical sense to find its way in the dark, yet it has functional vision that appears to be well adapted to dim light conditions. We were able to train three fish in a two-alternative forced-choice procedure to discriminate a rewarded from an unrewarded visual pattern. From its daytime shelter, each fish viewed two visual patterns placed at a set distance behind a transparent Plexiglas screen that closed the shelter. When the screen was lifted, the fish swam towards one of the patterns to receive a food reward or to be directed back into its shelter. Successful pattern discrimination was limited to low ambient light intensities of approximately 10 lx and to pattern sizes subtending a visual angle greater than 3°. To analyze the characteristics used by the fish to discriminate the visual training patterns, we performed transfer tests in which the training patterns were replaced by other patterns. The results of all such transfer tests can best be explained by a template-matching mechanism in which the fish stores the view of the rewarded training pattern and chooses from two other patterns the one whose retinal appearance best matches the stored view.

Weakly electric fishes are nocturnal and orientate in the absence of vision by using their electrical sense. This enables them not only to navigate but also to perceive and recognize objects in complete darkness. They create an electric field around their bodies by producing electric signals with specialized electric organs. Objects within this field alter the electric current at electroreceptor organs, which are distributed over almost the entire body surface. During active electrolocation, fishes detect, localize and analyse objects by monitoring their self–produced electric signals. We investigated the ability of the mormyridGnathonemus petersiito perceive objects three–dimensionally in space. Within a range of about 12cm,G.petersiican perceive the distance of objects. Depth perception is independent of object size, shape and material. The mechanism for distance determination through electrolocation involves calculating the ratio between two parameters (maximal slope and maximal amplitude) of the electrical image which each object projects onto the fish's skin. During active electrolocation, electric fishes cannot only locate objects in space but in addition can determine the three–dimensional shape of an object. Up to certain limits, objects are spontaneously categorized according to their shapes, but not according to their sizes or the materials of which they are made.

The functional role of the midbrain precommand nucleus (PCN) of the electromotor system was explored in the weakly electric mormyrid fishGnathonemus petersii, using extracellular recording of field potentials, single unit activity, and microstimulationin vivo.Electromotor-related field potentials in PCN are linked in a one-to-one manner and with a fixed time relationship to the electric organ discharge (EOD) command cycle, but occur later than EOD command activity in the medulla. It is suggested that PCN electromotor-related field potentials arise from two sources: (1) antidromically, by backpropagation across electrotonic synapses between PCN axons and command nucleus neurons, and (2) as corollary discharge-driven feedback arriving from the command nucleus indirectly, via multisynaptic pathways.PCN neurons can be activated by electrosensory input, but this does not necessarily activate the whole motor command chain. Microstimulation of PCN modulates the endogenous pattern of electromotor command in a way that can mimic the structure of certain stereotyped behavioral patterns. PCN activity is regulated, and to a certain extent synchronized, by corollary discharge feedback inhibition. However, PCN does not generally function as a synchronized pacemaker driving the electromotor command chain. We propose that PCN neurons integrate information of various origins and individually relay this to the command nucleus in the medulla. Some may also have intrinsic, although normally nonsynchronized, pacemaker properties. This descending activity, integrated in the electromotor command nucleus, will play an important modulatory role in the central pattern generator decision process.

Local field potentials evoked either by auditory or by mechanosensory (water displacement) lateral line stimuli were recorded in sensory subregions of the telencephalic nucleus dorsalis pars medialis (Dm) in the weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii. The neural tracer Neurobiotin was injected into these two physiologically defined subregions. A reciprocal connection between the two subregions of Dm, as well as cell bodies and terminals in other telencephalic regions, whose distribution was somewhat different for the two injection types, were found. The course of labeled fibers outside the telencephalon was similar after injections in both Dm regions. Fibers were seen running through the lateral forebrain bundle (lfb) to the ventral surface area of the brain within the diencephalic preglomerular region (PGv). Within a narrow streak along the ventral side of the brain densely arranged cell bodies were labeled. The locations of labeled cells within PGv were indistinguishable after tracer was injected into either acoustical or lateral line areas of Dm. Only after injection into the mechanosensory Dm region labeled cell bodies were found in the anterior preglomerular nucleus (PGa), in addition. When crystals of the fluorescent tracer DiI were inserted in the ventral part of PGv, a path of labeled fibers similar to that after telencephalic injections was found. Labeled terminals, but no cell bodies, were located both in the acoustical and in the mechanosensory regions of Dm as well as in several other telencephalic areas. Even though sensory regions in Dm that process acoustical and mechanical stimuli are segregated and unimodal, they both receive input from neurons of PGv. The specificity of the mechanosensory region of Dm might originate from the additional input from PGa and from other endbrain areas.

The present study describes a measurement-based model of electric image generation in the weakly electric mormyrid fish Gnathonemus petersii. Measurements of skin impedance, internal resistivity and fish body dimensions have been used to generate an electrical-equivalent model of the fish and to calculate electrical images and equivalent dipole sources for elementary resistive objects. These calculations allow us to understand how exafferent and reafferent signals are sensed by electroreceptors. An object's electric image consists of the modulation of the transcutaneous voltage profile generated by the fish's own discharge. The results suggest a set of rules for electrolocation: (1) the side of the fish where modulation is larger indicates the side on which the object is situated; (2) the object's position in the electroreceptive field is indicated by the point of maximum modulation of the transcutaneous voltage; (3) the degree of focus of the image indicates the distance to the object. In addition, center-surround opposition originating at pre-receptor level is proposed. Both experimental measurements and modeling indicate that fish skin impedance is relatively low (400-11 000IMG src="/images/symbols/capomega.gif" WIDTH="13" HEIGHT="13" ALIGN="BOTTOM" NATURALSIZEFLAG="3"cmSUP2/SUP) and mainly resistive. This low skin impedance appears to enhance the local electric organ discharge modulation, the center-surround effect, the signal-to-noise ratio for electrolocation and the active space for electrocommunication.

The weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii searches at night for insect larvae in tropical African streams. The aim of this study was to determine the contributions of different sensory modalities to foraging. The time that fish needed to find two randomly placed chironomid larvae was measured. The influence of various senses on search time was investigated by blocking the use of one or more senses. Active electrolocation was used by most fish for prey detection in the dark. In addition, passive electrolocation played a role in some individuals. If light was available, vision could become the dominant sense in some individuals, replacing active electrolocation. The presence of chemical cues decreased prey detection time in most fish. Prey movements also shortened search times when active electrolocation and vision were not possible, indicating that the mechanosensory lateral line also plays a role in the detection of moving prey. The results show that G. petersii uses several senses simultaneously during foraging. Each individual favours a specific combination of the available sensory inputs. If one sensory modality is eliminated, fish can switch to other modalities, indicating that the food detection system is flexible and plastic.

Mormryid electric fish (Gnathonemus petersii) respond to novel stimuli with an increase in the rate of the electric organ discharge (EOD). These novelty responses were used to measure the fish's ability to detect small changes in the amplitude and latency of an electrosensory stimulus. Responses were evoked in curarized fish in which the EOD was blocked but in which the EOD motor command continued to be emitted. An artificial EOD was provided to the fish at latencies of 2.4 to 14.4 ms following the EOD motor command.