AF-10

AF-10

Burrill & Easter proposed identity of AF-10 in the adult:

Optic Tectum/Tectum Opticum

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-10 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-10 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

VISUAL BEHAVIOURS ASSOCIATED WITH AF-10

AFs Robles schematics-09.png

The tectum contains a high-resolution map of visual space. The OT has been shown to be involved in localising objects and directing orienting movements toward or away from salient objects, such as prey or predators.

 
AFs Robles schematics-12.png
 

Intact tectal neuropil Is necessary for the looming-evoked escape response (Temizer et al., 2015).
Temizer et al show the direction of the escape behavior is dependent on the location of the stimulus within the visual field. Thus, the location of looming-responsive neurons within the tectum could be read out to generate a directional motor response. 

Publications

Nevin, L.M., Robles, E., Baier, H., and Scott, E.K. (2010)
Focusing on optic tectum circuitry through the lens of genetics.
BMC Biology. 8:126.

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Temizer, I. et al (2015)
A Visual Pathway for Looming-Evoked Escape in Larval Zebrafish.
Current Biology, 25(14), pp.1823–1834.

Antinucci P, Folgueira M, Bianco IH.(2019)
Pretectal neurons control hunting behaviour.
eLife 8 doi.org/10.7554/eLife.48114

Bianco IH & Engert F(2015)
Visuomotor Transformations Underlying Hunting Behavior in Zebrafish
Current Biology 25, 831–846 

Ethan Gahtan, Paul Tanger and Herwig Baier (2005)
Visual Prey Capture in Larval Zebrafish Is Controlled by Identified Reticulospinal Neurons Downstream of the Tectum.
Journal of Neuroscience 25 (40) 9294-9303 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2678-05.2005

Förster, D., Helmbrecht, T.O., Mearns, D.S., Jordan, L., Mokayes, N., Baier, H. (2020)
Retinotectal circuitry of larval zebrafish is adapted to detection and pursuit of prey.
eLife ;9:e58596. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.58596

Helmbrecht, T.O., Dal Maschio, M., Donovan, J.C., Koutsouli, S., Baier, H. (2018)
Topography of a Visuomotor Transformation.
Neuron. 100(6):1429-1445.e4.

Del Bene, F., Wyart, C., Robles, E., Tran, A., Looger, L., Scott, E.K., Isacoff, E.Y., and Baier, H. (2010)
Filtering of visual information in the tectum by an identified neural circuit.
Science. 330(6004):669-673.

AF-9

AF-9

Burrill & Easter proposed identity of AF-9 in the adult:

n. pretectalis periventricularis pars dorsalis (nPPd)/ n.pretectalis periventricularis pars ventralis (nPPv)
synonym: pretectal periventricular nuclei.

“AF-9 was identified as the presumptive nPPd because its position relative to the posterior commissure was similar to that of the nPPd, and because some of the fibers that innervate both the nPPd and AF-9 continue dorsally and innervate the deep layers of the optic tectum (AF-10). In some adult cypriniformes (Braford and Northcutt, 1983) optic axons also project to the nPPv which is located caudal to the nPPd at the same dorsoventral level. We have not seen a separate AF in this region, and suggest that AF-9 represents a projection to both parts, dorsal and ventral, of the same nucleus.”(Burrill & Easter., 2004).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-9 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-9 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

visual behaviours associated with AF-9

AFs Robles schematics-12.png

Retinal Ganglion Cells projecting to AF-9 respond vigorously to only looming bright and receding bright (ON) stimuli.For the receding stimulus AF-9 axons were only activated by the appearance of the bright stimulus, not the receding motion. (Temizer et al., 2015)

Publications

Baier, H., Wullimann, M.F. (2021) 
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish. 
The Journal of comparative neurology. 529(15):3454-3476

Temizer, I. et al (2015)
A Visual Pathway for Looming-Evoked Escape in Larval Zebrafish.
Current Biology, 25(14), pp.1823–1834.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

AF-8

AF-8

Proposed identity of AF-8 in the adult:

Central pretectal nucleus or Nucleus pretectalis centralis (Baier & Wullimann 2021).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-8 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-8 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

AF-8 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

AF-8 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

visual behaviours associated with AF-8

RGCs axons innervating AF-8 are robustly activated by dark looming and dimming stimuli. This AF receives input predominantly from RGCs with their dendrites embedded in the OFF layer of the inner plexiform layer. The role of AF-8 is still unclear, it may alert the tectum to the presence of a shadow facilitating an escape response. It may also play a role in phototaxis (Temizer et al., 2015).

Publications

Baier, H., Wullimann, M.F. (2021) 
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish. 
The Journal of comparative neurology. 529(15):3454-3476.

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Temizer, I. et al (2015)
A Visual Pathway for Looming-Evoked Escape in Larval Zebrafish.
Current Biology, 25(14), pp.1823–1834.

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

AF-7

AF-7

AF7 corresponds to the Accessory Pretectal Nucleus in the adult. (Antinucci et al., 2019)

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-7 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-7 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

AF-7 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the nasal retina (Robles et al., 2014).

AF-7 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the nasal retina (Robles et al., 2014).

Visual Behaviours associated with AF-7

Neurons in the pretectal area associated with AF-7 are activated by prey-like stimuli. This pretectal region is innervated by two types of retinal ganglion cells, that also send collaterals to the stratum opticum (SO) layer of the optic tectum. Pretectal neurons with dendritic arbors in AF-7 project to multiple sensory and premotor areas including the optic tectum, the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (nMLF) and the hindbrain (Antinucci et al., 2019; Semmelhack et al., 2014; Robles et al., 2014; Xiao & Baier., 2007).

 

AFs Robles schematics-09.png

“A prey stimulus on the left activates RGCs in the left eye which project to AF-7 and the SO layer of the right tectum. Pretectal neurons arborize in AF-7 and send projections to the tectum or the nMLF and hindbrain. Activation of this circuitry produces a j-turn to the left, turning the larva in the direction of the prey. “ (Semmelhack et al., 2014)

Publications

Antinucci P, Folgueira M, Bianco IH.(2019)
Pretectal neurons control hunting behaviour.
eLife 8 doi.org/10.7554/eLife.48114

Semmelhack, J.L., Donovan, J.C., Thiele, T.R., Kuehn, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014)
A dedicated visual pathway for prey detection in larval zebrafish.
eLIFE. 4:299-307.

Barker, A.J., Baier, H. (2015)
Sensorimotor Decision Making in the Zebrafish Tectum.
Current biology : CB. 25:2804-14.

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

AF-6

AF-6

Proposed identity of AF-6 in the adult:

Ventral accessory optic nucleus or Nucleus accessorius opticus ventralis

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-6 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-6 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

AF Di1 dorsal-07.png

visual behaviours associated with AF-6

AFs Robles schematics-12.png

RGCs axons innervating AF-6 are robustly activated by dark looming and dimming stimuli. This AF receives input predominantly from RGCs with their dendrites embedded in the OFF layer of the inner plexiform layer. The role of AF-6 is still unclear, it may alert the tectum to the presence of a shadow facilitating an escape response. It may also play a role in phototaxis (Temizer et al., 2015).

Publications

Baier, H., Wullimann, M.F. (2021) 
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish. 
The Journal of comparative neurology. 529(15):3454-3476

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Temizer, I. et al (2015)
A Visual Pathway for Looming-Evoked Escape in Larval Zebrafish.
Current Biology, 25(14), pp.1823–1834.

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

AF-5

AF-5

Proposed adult identity of AF-5:

Dorsal accessory optic nucleus or Nucleus accessorius opticus dorsalis (Baier & Wullimann, 2021),

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-5 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-5 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Publications

Baier, H., Wullimann, M.F. (2021) 
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish. 
The Journal of comparative neurology. 529(15):3454-3476

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

AF-4

AF-4

Baier & Wullimann proposed 3 possible identites for AF-4 in the adult:

Intermediate thalamic nucleus/Nucleus intermedius thalami

Anterior thalamic nucleus/nucleus anterioris thalami

Ventrolateral thalamic nucleus /Nucleus ventrolateralis thalami.
(Baier & Wullimann, 2021).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-4 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-4 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

AF-4 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

AF-4 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

VISUAL BEHAVIOURS ASSOCIATED WITH AF-4

light pref-13.png

A highly conserved innate behaviour. Larval zebrafish placed in a light-dark choice assay show a significant preference towards light. This light-preference behaviour is mediated by the habenula. The presence and intensity of ambient light is encoded in light responsive habenula neurons that receive input from prethalamic neurons that arborise with ventrally located RGCs at AF-4 (Zhang et al., 2017; Cheng et al.,2017).

Publications

Baier, H., Wullimann, M.F. (2021) 
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish. 
The Journal of comparative neurology. 529(15):3454-3476

Zhang, B.B., Yao, Y.Y., Zhang, H.F., Kawakami, K., Du, J.L. (2017)
Left Habenula Mediates Light-Preference Behavior in Zebrafish via an Asymmetrical Visual Pathway.
Neuron. 93(4):914-928.e4.

Cheng, R.K., Krishnan, S., Lin, Q., Kibat, C., Jesuthasan, S. (2017)
Characterization of a thalamic nucleus mediating habenula responses to changes in ambient illumination. BMC Biology. 15:104.

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

AF-3

AF-3

Burrill & Easter proposed identity of AF-3 in the adult:

n.accessorius opticus ventralis (nAOV)
synonym: ventral accessory optic nucleus.

“AF-3 was identified as the presumptive nAOV which is innervated by a group of optic axons that project caudally and medially from the caudal portion of the main optic tract into the region of the presumptive posterior tuberculum “(Burrill & Easter., 2004).

Baier & Wullimann proposed identity of AF-3 in the adult:
Ventrolateral thalamic nucleus or Nucleus ventrolateralis thalami.

Horstick et al showed a group of neurons in the anterior part of the posterior tuberculum that are proximal to AF3, project to the ipsilateral habenula and are active during a dark-induced circling behaviour (Horstick et al.,2020).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-3 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-3 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Larval zebrafish exhibit a circular swimming behaviour immediately following a loss of illumination. Individual larvae show a left/right directional bias in this behaviour, and will mostly circle in the same direction. The direction of turning prefe…

Larval zebrafish exhibit a circular swimming behaviour immediately following a loss of illumination. Individual larvae show a left/right directional bias in this behaviour, and will mostly circle in the same direction. The direction of turning preference is stochastic within the population. Horstick et al identified a group of neurons in the anterior part of the posterior tuberculum (PT) that are proximal to AF3 whose firing pattern that correlates well with the initiation and duration of this darkness-induced circling behaviour. These PT neurons project to the ipsilateral habenula. This PT-habenula pathway imposes left/right biases on motor responses.(Horstick et al.,2020).

Publications

Yáñez, J., Suárez, T., Quelle, A., Folgueira, M., Anadón, R. (2018)
Neural connections of the pretectum in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
The Journal of comparative neurology. 526(6):1017-1040.

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

Horstick, E.J., Bayleyen, Y., Burgess, H.A. (2020)
Molecular and cellular determinants of motor asymmetry in zebrafish.
Nature communications. 11:1170.

AF-2

AF-2

Baier & Wullimann proposed adult identity for AF-2:
Posterior parvocellular preoptic nucleus/ Nucleus preopticus parvicellularis posterioris (Baier & Wullimann, 2021).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-2 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-2 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Publications

Baier, H., Wullimann, M.F. (2021) 
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish. 
The Journal of comparative neurology. 529(15):3454-3476

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.

AF-1

AF-1

Burrill & Easter proposed identity of AF-1 in the adult:

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) & Parvocellular preoptic nucleus, posterior part (nPPp).

Baier & Wullimann proposed identity of AF-1 in the adult: Suprachiasmatic nucleus/Nucleus suprachiasmaticus (SCN) (Baier & Wullimann, 2021).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-1 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).

Schematic showing the approximate location of AF-1 in a 6dpf zebrafish. The optic tract is labelled in the Tg(atoh7:RFP) transgenic line and position of AFs are based on the data from Robles (2014).


“ We have identified AF-1 as the presumptive nSCN and the presumptive nPPp because, similar to the nSC, AF-1 was located adjacent and dorsocaudal to the optic chiasm and was bilaterally innervated, the ipsilateral optic axons having redecussated dorsal to the optic chiasm. The caudal extension of AF-1 observed in the 6-7 day larvae is assumed to be a projection to the presumptive nPPp which is located caudal to the nSC in some adult cypriniformes” (Burrill & Easter, 1996)

AF-1 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

AF-1 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

AF-1 is preferentially innervated by Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) located in the ventral retina (Robles et al., 2014).

Publications

Moore HA, Whitmore D (2014)
Circadian Rhythmicity and Light Sensitivity of the Zebrafish Brain.
PLoS ONE 9(1): e86176. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086176

Robles, E., Laurell, E., Baier, H. (2014) 
The Retinal Projectome Reveals Brain-Area-Specific Visual Representations Generated by Ganglion Cell Diversity.
Current biology : CB. 24(18):2085-96.

Burrill JD & Easter Jr SS
Development of the Retinofugal projections.
J Comp Neurology, 2004 pp.1-18.