Sense organs of the lateral line system in some electric fish of the Gymnotidae, Mormyridae and Gymnarchidae

Abstract

Abstract Morphological aspects of lateral line system of Gymnotidae, Mormyridae and Gymnarchidae were studied: “Ordinary” and specialized sense organs were identified and their somatic distribution and their relation to the lateral line nerves established. An attempt was made to classify the specialized sense organs of the lateral line system in these families. The morphological results are discussed in relation to recent physiological data permitting identification of one of the specialized sense organs as a newly recognized sense organ, the electroreceptor .