The pineal complex in the cichlid Cichlasoma dimerus: effect of different photoperiods on its cell morphology

This research describes the pineal complex histology in juvenile and adult Cichlasoma dimerus, and the effect of different photoperiods on its cell morphology. In both juveniles and adults, the pineal complex of C. dimerus has three components: the pineal organ, consisting of a pineal vesicle (PV) a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of fish biology 2014-09, Vol.85 (3), p.605-620
Main Authors: Birba, A., Ramallo, M. R., Morandini, L., Villafañe, V., Tubert, C., Guimarães Moreira, R., Pandolfi, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cichlids - physiology
histology
karyometry
opsins
Photoperiod
Pineal Gland - anatomy & histology
Pineal Gland - cytology
pineaolocytes
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Summary:This research describes the pineal complex histology in juvenile and adult Cichlasoma dimerus, and the effect of different photoperiods on its cell morphology. In both juveniles and adults, the pineal complex of C. dimerus has three components: the pineal organ, consisting of a pineal vesicle (PV) and a pineal stalk, the parapineal organ and the dorsal sac. Although a strong morphological resemblance exists between the two stages, different synthesis patterns of cone and rod opsins were detected in the two life stages. An effect of the photoperiod length was observed on putative pinealocytes' activity from the PV, measured indirectly through nuclear area morphometry. Individuals exposed to a natural photoperiod (14L:10D) had smaller nuclear areas (mean ± s.e. = 13·82 ± 1·52 µm2) than those exposed to a short photoperiod (8:16) (21·45 ± 2·67 µm2; P 
ISSN:0022-1112
1095-8649
DOI:10.1111/jfb.12446