Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Microscopic and submicroscopic gradient variation of olfactory systems among six Sinocyclocheilus species living in different environments

8^th International Conference on Fisheries & Aquaculture

October 02-04, 2017 Toronto, Canada

Xiaoyan Zhang

Yunnan University, China

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Aquac Res Development

Abstract:

The fish genus Sinocyclocheilus contains many different species and they inhibit diverse natural environments, such as surface water layer, cave or intermediate. Thus, there are some differences in their sensory systems. Microscopic and submicroscopic structures of olfactory systems in six representative species of Sinocyclocheilus were studied, including one surface-dwelling species - S. grahami, two intermediate species - S. jii and S. macrophthalmus; and three cave-dwelling species - S. brevibarbatus, S. anshuiensis, and S. tianlinensis. Due to adaptive evolution under extreme environmental conditions, cave-dwelling species have more developed olfactory systems. We observed that comparing with surface-dwelling species, the whole olfactory sac of cave-dwelling Sinocyclocheilus species have the following characteristics: higher density of cilia, greater length of sensory cilia, and with many other special structures (micro-ridge, olfactory islet, rod cilia). The results showed different developmental level of olfactory system, and we agree that cavedwelling species have more developed olfactory system than intermediate species and surface-dwelling species. In conclusion, for different Sinocyclocheilus species, when considering the types, number and length of cilia, such as sensory, nonsensory, or rod cilia, typical cave-dwelling Sinocyclocheilus species evolved more powerful olfactory organs to adapt dark surroundings. Furthermore, microscopic and submicroscopic structure of olfactory systems showed gradient variation among six Sinocyclocheilus species living in different environments: olfactory system of cave-dwelling species is more developed than intermediate species, and intermediate species is more developed than surface-dwelling species.

Biography :

Xiaoyan Zhang have done PhD and graduated from National university of Singapore (NUS). Currently he is working in Yunnan University. His Research Field is about Fish & Evolution, Biomonitoring of Water Contamination by Transgenic Zebrafish, applying of Fish in Drug Screening.