Abstract
The lateral line system consists of water-movement-sensitive sensory organs in the epidermis of cyclostomes, fishes (Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes), and aquatic stages of all three orders of amphibians. The phylogenetic origin of this system is not known. Already the oldest known ancestors of the modern fishes, the ostracoderms, probably possessed a lateral line system. At least twice during evolution part of this system evolved to an electrosensitive system, possibly by reduction of mechanical sensitivity and enhancement of electrical sensitivity of the sense organs. Like the labyrinth, the lateral line system derives from dorsolateral placodes.
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Further reading
Bleckmann H (1985): The role of the lateral line. In: The Behaviour of Teleost Fishes, Pitcher J, ed. Sydney: Croom Helm Australia.
Dijkgraaf S (1962): The functioning and significance of the lateralline organs. Biol Rev 38: 51–105.
Russell IJ (1976): Amphibian lateral line receptors. In: Frog Neurobiology, Llinas R, Precht W, eds: Berlin Heidelberg New York: Springer-Verlag.
Sand O (1984): Lateral line systems. In: Comparative Physiology of Sensory Systems, Bolish L, Keynes R, Madrell SHP, eds. Cambridge London New York Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
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Görner, P. (1988). Lateral Line System. In: Comparative Neuroscience and Neurobiology. Readings from the Encyclopedia of Neuroscience . Birkhäuser, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6776-3_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6776-3_26
Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-8176-3394-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-6776-3
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