Tactile reception in the outer head cover of goldfish (Carassius auratus gibelio).

The first data on the responses of tactile receptors of the tonic, phasic, and mixed types to mechanic stimulation of the surface of head skin of fish obtained by means of noninvasive recording of potentials are presented. The sensitivity of skin tactile receptors is the highest in the circumoral and gular zones, which reflects their functional role in foraging behavior.

[Effect of chronic anosmia on morphofunctional parameters of the gustatory system primary centers of the carp Cyprinus carpio].

Morphofunctional state of neurons in primary centers of olfactory, external and intraoral gustatory systems in carp yearlings was studied at different time after bilateral anosming, with use of methods of morphometrical, biochemical, and histochemical analyses. The olfactory deafferentation produces centripetal translocation of olfactory bulbs and development of their degenerative changes. Chronic elimination of olfactory reception in carps leads to activation of neurons in the facial lobe of medulla--the primary center of the external gustatory system. The neuronal complexes of the vagus lobe representing the primary center of the intraoral taste did not have a similar reaction to elimination of the olfactory reception. The high level of central interaction of the fish olfactory and gustatory systems and its role in providing reliability of alimentary behavior are discussed.