Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

A comparative study of hindbrain was analysed on medulla oblongata especially facial, vagal and somatic sensory lobe in two teleost namely Aplocheilus lieneatus, a carnivorous surface feeder and Nemachilus rupecola a bottom feeder. The former feed largely by sight and correspondingly large eyes and upwardly directed mouth, facial and vagal lobes are poorly developed; Whereas, in N. rupicola, being a bottom feeder and downwardly directed mouth and poorly developed eyes. Surface feeders are constantly exposed to external sound at the surface of water, their auditory centres in the brain especially the central acoustic area is well developed in A. lieneatus and this area is poorly developed in N. rupicola.
Keywords: Fish, Feeding habit, Medulla oblongata, Facial lobe, Vagal lobe, Central acoustic area.