Microscopic organization of the eye of Stoliczkae's barb Puntius stoliczkanus (day, 1871)

Abstract

The histology of the organization of the eye in the Stoliczkae's barb Puntius stoliczkanus was investigated using a light microscope. It was found that the eye in P. stoliczkanus comprised three layers-external, middle uveal and inner. The external layer consisted of the cornea and sclera. The cornea showed three layers: 1) corneal epithelium, 2) corneal stroma and 3) corneal endothelium, while the sclera exhibited a thick connective fiber and an external sheath of hyaline cartilage supporting the sclera. The middle uveal layer showed only the lens and choroid. The lens protruded into the aqueous chamber. The choroid was subdivided into two distinct layers: 1) a connective layer adjacent to the sclera and 2) the lamina vasculosa and choriocapillaris. The inner layer or retinal tunica was composed of 10 distinct layers: 1) pigment epithelium, 2) photoreceptor layer, 3) outer liming membrane, 4) outer nuclear layer, 5) outer plexiform layer, 6) inner nuclear layer, 7) inner plexiform layer, 8) ganglion cell layer, 9) optic nerve layer and 10) inner limiting membrane, respectively, from the outside inward. These results provided data for other investigations in aquaculture, reproductive biology and histopathology.