Brainstem afferents to the torus semicircularis of the Queensland cane toad (Bufo marinus)

The ascending projections to the major midbrain auditory center of anura, the torus semicircularis, have been examined using the technique of retrograde labeling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Localized iontophoretic injections of HRP were made in one torus semicircularis of Queensland cane toads (Bufo marinus). Visualization of HRP-labeled neurons with tetramethyl benzidine revealed that the torus semicircularis receives its major afferent input from the ipsilateral superior olive. Other prominent projections arise in the contralateral dorsal nucleus of the eighth nerve and the contralateral torus semicircularis. HRP-labeled neurons were also associated with the lateral lemniscus at a level ventral and lateral to the nucleus isthmi on both sides. It is suggested that these neurons constitute diffuse nuclei of the lateral lemnisci. Relatively minor projections to the torus semicircularis arise in the contralateral superior olive, ipsilateral dorsal nucleus of the eighth nerve, and the ventral division of both the ipsilateral and contralateral eighth nerve nuclei.