Neuroanatomical and immunohistochemical studies on the dorsal neurons in the spinal cord of Trigla lucerna L. and Scorpaena porcus L. (Scorpaeniformes).

Peculiar dorsal neurons present in the dorsal spinal cord of Trigla lucerna L. and Scorpaena porcus L. were investigated by neuroanatomical and immunohistochemical methods. These neurons were previously defined as commissural cells, but have now been identified as supramedullary neurons. The following fundamental criteria for identifying the supramedullary neurons of Teleosts are proposed: a) dorsomedial location in the spinal cord; b) large size of the soma and axon; c) immunoreactivity to gastrin/CCK-like peptides.