A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE OPTIC TECTUM OF PRISTOLEPIS MALABARICUS (GUNTHER) (PERCIFORMES, TELEOSTEI)
SHERLY P. ANAND *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, T K M M COLLEGE, NANGIARKULANGARA, I-IARIPAD-690 513, INDIA.
K C JOHN *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, T K M M COLLEGE, NANGIARKULANGARA, I-IARIPAD-690 513, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The optic tectum of Pristolepis malabaricus is laminated like the general teleostean pattern. Areas associated with the primary sensory function like vision is significantly related to the differences in the feeding habits. P. malabaricus is a carnivore, which feeds upon motile prey like shrimps and small fishes and hence is characterized by a well-developed optic tectum.
Keywords: Optic tectum, torus longitudinalis,, tectal layers