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Neurophysiology of Electric Fishing

1963; Wiley; Volume: 92; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1577/1548-8659(1963)92[265

1548-8659

R. Vibert,

Advanced Memory and Neural Computing

Transactions of the American Fisheries SocietyVolume 92, Issue 3 p. 265-275 Articles Neurophysiology of Electric Fishing Richard Vibert, Directeur de la Station dˈHydrobiologie, Appliquée de Biarritz, FranceSearch for more papers by this author Richard Vibert, Directeur de la Station dˈHydrobiologie, Appliquée de Biarritz, FranceSearch for more papers by this author First published: July 1963 https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8659(1963)92[265:NOEF]2.0.CO;2Citations: 14AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract An explanation of the neurophysiological mechanisms leading to the galvanotaxy of fish with direct current electrofishing was developed by observing reactions of the fish to different potential gradients and by sectioning or otherwise interfering with the nervous system at various points. With fish facing the positive electrode the first galvanotaxic response toward the positive pole (at 14 volts under the experimental conditions) is an inhibited swimming through effect on the long motor axons. Next (at 18 volts) there is intense, coordinated swimming resulting from intense negative charges on the sensory somas introducing a brain reflex, overcoming the inhibition of the motor axons. Third (at 40 volts) the fish becomes limp because the brain reflex cannot break through the increased inhibition of the motor somas. Fourth (90-100 volts) pseudoforced-swimming in which equilibrium is lost occurs through reflexes in the spinal nerves. Finally (at 150 volts) tetany is brought on by direct excitation of the muscle fibers. With fish facing the negative pole, the first galvanotaxic response (at 14 volts) is a tetanylike swimming toward the negative pole, due to facilitation of the central motor nerves, and only partially controlled by the brain. As the voltage increases, this brain control fails, and tetany appears through more excitation of (1) the motor somas in the brain, (2) the motor spinal nerves, and (3) the muscle fibers. When fish are placed across the electric field, the bodies curve toward the positive pole because the motor spinal nerves facing the negative pole are inhibited while those facing the positive pole are stimulated. Normal ecological behavior of the fish may significantly affect the response to electric current. Flatfishes, for example, may burrow or remain on the bottom resisting the swimming response until narcosis or tetany take over. Citing Literature Volume92, Issue3July 1963Pages 265-275 RelatedInformation