Retina of river dolphin Lipotes Vexillifer

The structure of retina of the Lipotes Vexillifer has been studied quantitatively under light microscope. The results obtained are as follows. (i) The thickness of the retina is 268 micrometer. The lamination of retina can be clearly distinguished. It consists of 10 layers. The thicknesses of the layers from pigment epithelium to internal limiting membrane are 12 micrometer, 44 micrometer, 2 micrometer, 48 micrometer, 20 micrometer, 36 micrometer, 68 micrometer, 32 micrometer, 8 micrometer and 2 micrometer respectively. (ii) The number of cells in the outer nuclear layer is larger than that in the inner nuclear layer. Two types of cell can be distinguished in this layer. The number of receptors and ganglion cells is in a ratio of 12 to 1. These results show that the retina type of the Lipotes corresponds to that of nocturnal animals. (iii) The diameters of ganglion cells range 1.5-37 micrometer with two peaks at 6 micrometer and 35 micrometer. This means that the ganglion cells fall into two groups according to size, and this has been proved by the observation on morphology of ganglion cells in the whole-mount preparation and sections of the retina. The percentages of large cells and small cells are 3% and 97% respectively. The proportion of small cells to large cells does not change greatly in different parts of the retina. (iv) No fovea and visual streak have been found in the retina.