Number, distribution and size of retinal ganglion cells in the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

A retinal ganglion cell density map was generated using Nissl-stained retinal whole mounts from the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos). The total number, distribution and size of these cells were determined in the area centralis, as well as in temporal, nasal, dorsal and ventral retinal regions. The mean total number of ganglion cells was estimated to be 3.6 x 10(6). The highest densities were found in the area centralis (25 600 /mm(2)) and the dorso-temporal part of the retina, suggesting the highest quality of vision. This density diminished nearly concentrically from the central area towards the retinal periphery. The number of ganglion cells was highest in the temporal retina followed, in order, by the nasal, dorsal and ventral retinal regions. Based on ganglion cell size, the retina seemed to consist of the following five regions: central, temporal, nasal, dorsal and ventral. Ganglion cell size ranged from 16 to 288 mu m(2), with smaller cells predominating in central regions above the optic disc and larger cells comprising more of the peripheral regions. The present study showed two highly populated areas of ganglion cells in the crow retina and it is expected that the crow retina provides well-developed monocular and binocular vision.