Identification of a nucleus isthmi in the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus (Gymnotiformes)

The nucleus isthmi of teleost fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, and its probable homologue, the nucleus parabigeminalis of mammals, share in common certain features such as location in the dorsal tegmentum and reciprocal connectivity with the optic tectum. In gymnotid fish the nucleus isthmi is located dorsolaterally in the brainstem tegmentum, ventral to the torus semicircularis and the lateral mesencephalic reticular area and dorsal to the rostral nucleus praeeminentialis. The nucleus isthmi has an ovoid shape, with a compact cellular part on its dorsal, medial and ventral aspects surrounding a hilar region with a sparse population of larger cells. Following wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase injections into the optic tectum, anterogradely labeled fine terminals were observed leaving the tectobulbar tract and entering the ipsilateral nucleus isthmi via its laterally facing hilar region. Retrogradely labeled cells were present in the nucleus isthmi on both sides, indicating the presence of a bilateral isthmotectal projection similar to that reported in amphibians. The putative isthmal nucleus stains densely for acetylcholinesterase. Based on the similarity of its location, shape, cholinesterase histochemistry and reciprocal connectivity with the optic tectum, we identified this structure as the nucleus isthmi of gymnotids. An interesting observation of this study was that the nucleus isthmi, in addition to receiving fine terminals from the optic tectum, is also the recipient of a sparser population of thicker-caliber afferent fibers which terminate not only in the large-celled hilar region but also within the smaller-celled component of the nucleus; this projection appears to emanate from the torus semicircularis dorsalis.