Cytofluorimetric determination of DNA content in large neurons of Lophius piscatorius L. (Osteichthyes, Lophiiformes).

The central nervous system of Lophius piscatorius has a cluster of large neurons located at the boundary between the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. The DNA content of these neurons was evaluated by microfluorimetric methods. Results demonstrated a DNA content ranging from a minimum of 8C in the smaller to over 1000C in the larger neurons of L. piscatorius cluster. These data are exceptional for the nervous system of Vertebrates, and known only for the giant neurons of Mollusca.