Two distinct visual pathways through the superficial pretectum in a percomorph teleost

The connections of the superficial pretectum and of nucleus isthmi were examined in a percomorph teleost, Lepomis cyanellus. Horseradish peroxidase was injected either with a pin into the parvicellular nucleus of the superficial pretectum or pressure injected into nucleus isthmi; the isthmal injections retrogradely labelled the neurons of the magnocellular nucleus of the superficial pretectum. Two main visual pathways can be recognized: The first projects from the retina to the parvicellular nucleus, and then to the intermediate nucleus of the superficial pretectum, the inferior raphe nucleus, and the trochlear nucleus. The second projects from the retina via the optic tectum to the magnocellular nucleus of the superficial pretectum, and from there to nucleus isthmi and the lateral thalamic nucleus; nucleus isthmi and the lateral thalamic nucleus project back to the optic tectum, and nucleus isthmi also projects back to the magnocellular nucleus. The two pathways are interconnected to some extent because both nucleus isthmi and the optic tectum project to the parvicellular nucleus; nevertheless, we suggest that they may be functionally and evolutionarily distinct. Compared to percomorphs, the first pathway appears reduced in cyprinid teleosts such as goldfish. Furthermore, the magnocellular nucleus of the second pathway is completely different in cyprinids, both in cellular architecture and in efferent connections. A phylogenetic analysis suggests that cyprinid ancestors went through a period of reduced vision and that the magnocellular nucleus of the superficial pretectum in modern cyprinids has been either extensively modified from the primitive condition or lost entirely and replaced by a superficially similar structure.