Exclusive elimination of the sense of taste in fishes is not possible by severing ''the'' taste nerve as one can do in mammals, because their taste buds are sometimes spread over very large skin areas. For this reason the effects of taste ablation and the functions of the two specific taste systems of fishes have remained unknown.One taste system is innervated by the facial nerve (VII) subserving all the taste buds on the body skin, lips and anterior part of the mouth; the other is innervated by the vagal and glosso-pharyngeal nerves (IX and X) and contains all the taste buds on the posterior part of the mouth and gill arches. It is known that the catfish finds food by taste only, since destruction of peripheral smell does not interfere with food finding abilities; taste was found earlier to function as a true distance receptor. It also serves as a testing device controlling food intake. The interaction between the two taste systems became evident when selective ablations were performed, removing either the entire sensory area of the facial lobe or the entire sensory area of the vagal lobe in the dorsal medulla oblongata. In the former case the catfish was unable to localize food accurately and to pick it up; in the latter case the fish could not swallow the food, but had no problems in localizing or picking up the pieces. Thus, the two sensory (taste) inputs have distinct functions. The facial taste system operates in accurate localization by bilaterally steering the trunk musculature, and it also triggers the ''pick-up'' reflex (in combination with tactile inputs). The vagal taste system controls the swallowing reflex. Taste functions are essentially different from the functions of the olfactory system.

Keywords:
Taste systems, Catfishes, Ictalurus natalis, Feeding behavior, Brain lesion, Facial lobe, Medulla oblongata, Anatomy
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1971 S. Karger AG, Basel
1971
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.