Detection of stationary objects by frogs (Rana pipiens) after ablation of optic tectum.

Abstract

Frogs with tectum removed bilaterally were unable to make any overt response to either moving prey objects or threatening stimuli. All frogs could reliably orient toward or jump through an aperture during escape from tactile stimulation. These frogs could discriminate the relative depth of vertical striped surfaces. These residual abilities are attributed to function of the retinothalamic projection.