[Primary visual centers in Protopterus dolloi Boulenger]

Modifications of the Nauta's method (Fink-Heimer, Ebbesson-Heimer) were used to study the optic centers and pathways of rotoperus dolloi following unilateral enucleation. After ablation, animals were kept at 25degrees C from 6 to 51 days. We saw optimum degenerescences from 10 to 13 days of postoperatory life. Retinofugal fibers are completely crossed. The projections to necleus preopticus and hypothalamus seem to be bi-lateral. The mean primary optic centers are: the thalamic neuropil which is may be homologous with the Bellonci's neuropil in Amphilbia; the pretectal and tectal neuropils; the neuropil of the basal optic root. Results obtained in Protopterus can be compared with our knowledges in Amphibia.