Recordings from the lateral line nerve of Trematomus pennelli to determine if superficial neuromasts can be identified in the lateral line nerves

To determine if the superficial neuromasts, capable of reporting constant smooth water movement, can be identified in the lateral line nerves of Antarctic fish species was investigated. Recordings of the lateral line nerve of Trematomus pennelli to non-turbulent water flow was conducted with 65 lateral line units recorded from a total of 12 fish.

Responses were in three broad categories:
a) Phasic unit, which responded only to changing water velocities,
b) Tonic units, which continued to respond while water was flowing at a constant velocity and
c) units with no measurable response to water velocity or to changes in water velocity.