Ganglion Cell Topography and Retinal Resolution in the Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatus at an Early Stage of Postnatal Development
Eye sizes and retinal organization were studied in new-born and adult bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. In the new-born animals, eye optics and retinal organization were completely formed, including the presence of two zones of concentration of retinal ganglion cells. Adult animals featured larger eye sizes as compared to the new-born ones, a larger retinal thickness, larger retinal area, and more ganglion cells. The peak ganglion cell density was higher in the new-born animals than in the adult ones, however the retinal resolution was little different. The postnatal development does not principally modify the eye organization but results in a quantitative shift of several parameters.