Single unit activity in the mesencephalon of Sternarchus

Action potentials evoked in a phase-locked 1 : 1 relationship by natural electric organ discharges (EOD) were recorded extracellularly and intracellularly from single mesencephalic magnocellular nucleus units in the high frequency electric fish Sternarchus albifrons (Gymnotidae). This activity has been shown to be the result of an extrinsic feedback of the electrosensory system and is probably important for the socalled jamming avoidance response triggered artificial electric pulses when delivered into the water in a 1 : 1 relationship at intensities higher than the EOD. In the same way, artificial pulses of frequency near EOD could either drive or, due to beats, greatly disturb the regular firing of the units. More insight into the neural mechanism was yielded by single EOD-triggered shocks provoking a failure in firing of certain action potentials of the series and causing long-lasting (10-20 ms) accelerations and decelerations of the regular EOD-evoked firing (transient disturbance). Intracellular stimulations show similar effects. The biological significance of this neural mechanism for the fish's electroperception and JAR is discussed.