Orientation mechanizmof food by the mobile barbels in goatfish

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06225
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40040:Aquatic life science-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Yamamoto Naoyuki 名古屋大学, 生命農学研究科, 教授 (80256974)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 真骨魚 / 感覚 / 運動 / 脳 / 行動 / 進化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate the specialized feeding behavior of goatfish, where the fish move barbels to search for food in the see floor, we have investigated the following four issues. 1) Neural connections of the facial lobe, 2) distribution of taste buds on the barbels of Upeneus japnicus, 3) Comparison of taste bud distribution with related species, and 4) Possible distribution of sensory apparatus near the muscles for barbels. The results indicate species differences of taste bud distribution, presence of sensory fiber-like structures near the muscles. Considerable data are obtained for the fiber connections of the facial lobe including those that appear to be specific in goatfish.

Free Research Field

魚類神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多くの魚種に触鬚（いわゆるヒゲ）が存在することは多くの人に知られている。動かせるヒゲの存在は、一般的にはそれほど有名ではないが、魚好きの人の多くが知っている。しかしこのヒゲを利用する機構は明らかではなく、知りたい人も多いと思われる。実際、NHKのEテレでヒメジを特集した番組が作成されつつあり、ヒメジの行動を示す動画の提供を行った。見たい、知りたいという社会的要求は十分にある。