Meeting Abstract
Recent experiments have characterized the frequency sensitivity and range of the Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) anterior lateral line which functions both in prey detection and sound localization. The locations of both the superficial and canal neuromasts have been established and the goal of this study was to develop an external sensory map that combines electrophysiology characteristics with neuromast location. To determine the precise three-dimensional location and sensory axis of the neuromasts, micro computed tomography (CT) scanning was conducted. Micro-CT scanning is a three-dimensional x-ray imaging technique that offers the ability to visualize the lateral line without damage to the lateral line. To conduct this experiment, the anterior portion of the Oyster Toadfish was stained with a 0.3% phosphotungstic acid (PTA) solution to enhance scanning. The Oyster Toadfish was scanned with a Bruker Skyscan 1272 micro-CT at a pixel size of 12.9 µm. Three-dimensional reconstruction and corrections for beam hardening and ring artifacts were made using the Skyscan NRecon software. Reconstructions of micro-CT scanning made it possible to visualize the finger like projections of the superficial neuromasts, determine the axis of orientation and quantify neuromasts along the anterior lateral line of the Oyster Toadfish.
