The coding of signals in the electric communication of the gymnotiform fish Eigenmannia: from electroreceptors to neurons in the torus semicircularis of the midbrain.

In the context of aggression and courtship, Eigenmannia repeatedly interrupts its electric organ discharges (EODs) These interruptions contain low-frequency components as well as high-frequency transients and, therefore, stimulate ampullary and tuberous electroreceptors, respectively. Information provided by these two classes of receptors is relayed along separate pathways, via the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) of the hindbrain, to the dorsal torus semicircularis (TSd) of the midbrain. Some neurons of the torus receive inputs from both types of receptors and some respond predominantly to EOD interruptions while being rather insensitive to other forms of signal modulations. This high selectivity appears to result from convergence and gating of inputs from individually less selective neurons.