Localization of the high-resolution area in the ganglion cell layer of the Baikal seal Pusa sibirica Gm.1788.

The morphological and functional density of the retinal ganglion cells of the Baikal Lake endemic seal Pusa sibirica was studied using cresyl-violet-stained whole-mounts. An area of the highest concentration of ganglion cells has been identified by drawing up a density map. This was an ellipsoid spot in the upper temporal part of the retina 6-7 mm from the visual nerve output. The maximum cell density in this area was 3800 cells/mm(2). The retinal resolution estimated from the maximum density of ganglion cells and the posterior nodal distance (24 mm) was 2.4' in the water and 3' in the air, and this can be used as an estimation of the retina resolving power.