Comparative study of the visual system of two psammophilic lizards (Scincus scincus &amp; Eumeces schneideri)

Canei, Jérôme; Burtéa, Carmen; Nonclercq, Denis

doi:10.1016/j.visres.2020.04.004

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…We found only single and double cones in the retina of this African five-lined skink, which, like other diurnal lizards, contained only cones [7,13,35]. While the Australian species Tiliqua rugosa had a mixed retina with an 80:1 cone-to-rod ratio or a central retina ratio ranging from 20 to 40 cones for only one rod [5,19].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many reptiles, such as lizards of the genus Anolis, possess a compound visual system containing two morphologically different and spatially separated foveae [19]. An additional visual component was the oil droplets located in the cones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An additional visual component was the oil droplets located in the cones. These are widespread among diurnal birds and reptiles [20] and act like individual filters of the photoreceptors, permitting extra acute visualization [19] and removing the flashy effect on the surface of the water [21]. The pigmentation of these structures seems important because when pigmented, they decrease the light spectrum range reaching the outer segments of the cones and stimulate the excitation of the specific opsin of the cone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pigmentation of these structures seems important because when pigmented, they decrease the light spectrum range reaching the outer segments of the cones and stimulate the excitation of the specific opsin of the cone. Some cones possess only translucent oil droplets that increase how the light is held and maximize visual sensitivity [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New insights into the retinal microstructure-diurnal activity relationship in the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) (Lichtenstein, 1823)

et al. 2023

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Background The retinae of diurnal vertebrates have characteristics. Most lizards are strictly diurnal, and their retinal morphology is still unknown. Materials and methods The retina of the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) was studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. Results The retina's ten layers were all detected. The inner nuclear layer was the thickest by an average of 67.66 μm, and the inner plexiform layer was 57.564 μm. There were elliptical, long cylindrical, and spherical melanosomes (small and large) in the pigment epithelial layer of the retina. The cylindrical melanosomes had a large area on the lateral surfaces of cones to increase light scatter absorption. The photoreceptor layer of the retina had cones only. There were single and double cones, with the double cones consisting of principal and accessory cones. The cones had inner and outer segments separated by oil droplets. A spherical paraboloid body existed between the limiting membrane and the ellipsoid. All single cones had a paraboloid, and double cones had a large paraboloid in the accessory cone. The presence of paraboloids and large ellipsoids with mitochondria of varying sizes may have helped focus the light on cone segments. Conclusion The African five-lined skink's eye was light-adapted due to a variety of retinal specializations related to the demands of its diurnal lifestyle in its environment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

New insights into the retinal microstructure-diurnal activity relationship in the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) (Lichtenstein, 1823)

et al. 2023

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Ophthalmology of Scinciformata and Laterata: Skinks, Lizards, and Relatives

Fleming¹

2022

Wild and Exotic Animal Ophthalmology

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Lizard visual ecology

Fleishman

2024

Front. Amphib. Reptile Sci.

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Visual ecology is the study of how visual systems are evolutionarily adapted to the light conditions animals experience and the visual tasks they must perform. The greatest progress in this field has been made in studies of aquatic systems. Our understanding of the influence of how different terrestrial habitats have shaped the evolution of visual physiology and anatomy is more limited. Lizards are an excellent model system for examining terrestrial visual ecology because in most cases, each species experiences a limited range of habitat light conditions and these differ among species. Some aspects of visual physiology and anatomy have evolved in response to habitat conditions, while others are widely shared by a great diversity of species, suggesting that their features are largely inherited and have changed very little through evolutionary time. Understanding which features have evolved as specializations to current conditions and which are inherited and largely unchanged is critical to understanding the role that visual ecology plays in shaping behavior. In this article I review some basic features of the lizard visual system, including the processes by which lizards estimate distance and depth. I then explore the evolutionary response (or lack thereof) to differences in habitat structure, light intensity and spectral quality. I also explore some relationships between lizard color patterns and their color perception. The phylogenetic range of species that have been studied is small, and many key aspects of behavior have received relatively little attention. These are potentially rich areas for future study.

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Comparative study of the visual system of two psammophilic lizards (Scincus scincus & Eumeces schneideri)

Cited by 3 publications

References 53 publications

New insights into the retinal microstructure-diurnal activity relationship in the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) (Lichtenstein, 1823)

New insights into the retinal microstructure-diurnal activity relationship in the African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) (Lichtenstein, 1823)

Ophthalmology of Scinciformata and Laterata: Skinks, Lizards, and Relatives

Lizard visual ecology

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