Electrolocation and electrocommunication in pulse gymnotids: signal carriers, pre-receptor mechanisms and the electrosensory mosaic

Constraints introduced by signal carriers, pre-receptor mechanisms and receptor transduction are fundamental for shaping the signals used by the brain to build up perceptual images. This review analyses some of these constraints in the electrosensory system of pulse Gymnotids. First, it describes the characteristics and differences of electrolocation and electrocommunication carriers. Second, it analyses the role of electrogenic and non-electrogenic tissues of the fish body in the generation and conditioning of these carriers. Two pre-receptor mechanisms are discussed: (a) the funneling of currents to the perioral region and (b) a Mexican-hat profile involved in edge detection. Finally, some characteristics of the electroreceptor structure and the sensory mosaic are examined. We conclude that there is an electrosensory fovea at the perioral region where a large density and variety of receptors is stimulated by self- and conspecific-generated currents funneled there by non electrogenic tissues. Differences in carrier waveform may be used to distinguish between reafferent and communication signals.