Fine structure of the tapetum lucidum in the short-tailed stingray Dasyatis brevicaudata

Abstract

The tapetum lucidum of the short-tailed stingray (Dasatis brevicaudata) is located in the choroid of the superior fundus immediately external to the choriocapillaris. In this species the tapetum consists of a single layer of overlapping cells oriented at an angle of about 30" to the incoming light. These tapetal cells alternate with and are separated from one another by melanocytes which extend beyond the tapetal cells to intervene between the tapetal cells and the choriocapillaris. The tapetal cells and the melanocytes are flattened plate-like cells with their widest dimension facing the retina. Internally the tapetal cells display a peripherally located vesicular nucleus with most organelles in a paranuclear location. The bulk of the cell is packed with regularly spaced crystals reported to be guanine. The size and spacing of these reflective crystals is commensurate with constructive interference. In lightadaptation, the melanosomes of the intervening melanocytes are widely dispersed and for the most part block the passage of light to the tapetal cells. Although dark-adapted specimens were not examined, it seems reasonable to assume that in dark-adaptation, the melanosomes will retreat to unmask the tapetum and allow it to function as a reflective layer.