Electrophysiological measurements of spectral mechanisms in the retinas of two cervids: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and fallow deer (Dama dama)

Jacobs, Gerald H.; Deegan, Jess F.; Neitz, Jay; Murphy, Brian P.; Miller, Karl V.; Marchinton, R. Larry

doi:10.1007/bf00217375

Cited by 56 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…There are few studies of potential ERG responses to UV light in mammals comparable in size and lifestyle to the reindeer. Support for the notion that the responses reported here are related to the UV-rich environment of Arctic reindeer comes from Jacobs et al (Jacobs et al, 1994), who failed to find any UV response to such stimulation in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) or fallow deer (Dama dama).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Arctic reindeer extend their visual range into the ultraviolet

Hogg

Neveu

Stokkan

et al. 2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYThe Arctic has extreme seasonal changes in light levels and is proportionally UV-rich because of scattering of the shorter wavelengths and their reflection from snow and ice. Here we show that the cornea and lens in Arctic reindeer do not block all UV and that the retina responds electrophysiologically to these wavelengths. Both rod and cone photoreceptors respond to UV at low-intensity stimulation. Retinal RNA extraction and in vitro opsin expression show that the response to UV is not mediated by a specific UV photoreceptor mechanism. Reindeer thus extend their visual range into the short wavelengths characteristic of the winter environment and periods of extended twilight present in spring and autumn. A specific advantage of this short-wavelength vision is the use of potential information caused by differential UV reflections known to occur in both Arctic vegetation and different types of snow. UV is normally highly damaging to the retina, resulting in photoreceptor degeneration. Because such damage appears not to occur in these animals, they may have evolved retinal mechanisms protecting against extreme UV exposure present in the daylight found in the snow-covered late winter environment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Arctic reindeer extend their visual range into the ultraviolet

Hogg

Neveu

Stokkan

et al. 2011

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Firstly, the histochemical results presented here, coupled with the general pattern of dichromatic vision amongst ungulates (e.g. domestic goat: Siemers et al 1999;sheep: Munkenbeck 1982; domestic pig: Koba and Tanida 1999; fallow and white-tailed deer: Jacobs et al 1994, Birgersson et al 2001horse: Carroll et al 2001), strongly suggests that the chamois also possess dichromatic vision. The PNA staining suggested a high density of cones in the retina in the chamois.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…Alternatively, chamois retinas may contain cone types that express a visual pigment not detected by the antibodies or PNA may stain additional noncone cell classes in the chamois retina. The presence of colour vision in chamois can only be definitively resolved with further physiological experiments such as the flicker photometric electroretinogram method, which has been conducted on numerous species to conclusively prove dichromatic vision (goat, sheep and cow, Bos primigenius: Jacobs et al 1998; fallow and white-tailed deer: Jacobs et al 1994; fox, Vulpes vulpes and dog, Canis lupus familiaris: Jacobs et al 1993;horse: Carroll et al 2001). Secondly, independent of their ability to detect colours, it is already known that chamois are able to at least perceive differences in the brightness of colours (Albrecht 1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although ungulates typically possess dichromatic vision (e.g. domestic goat, Capra aegagrus hircus: Siemers et al 1999;sheep, Ovis aries: Munkenbeck 1982; domestic pig, Sus domesticus: Koba and Tanida 1999; fallow deer, Dama dama and white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus: Jacobs et al 1994, Birgersson et al 2001; horse, Equus ferus caballus : Carroll et al 2001), no data currently exist for colour vision in chamois. Secondly, by using a field experiment, we investigated whether an approaching person wearing differently coloured clothing had an influence on the alert and flight responses and the site of refuge of female chamois.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cone opsins and response of female chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) to differently coloured raincoats

et al. 2012

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Alpine species are often exposed to intense levels of human recreational activities. Exactly how human disturbances influence the behaviour of these species is still open to much debate. For example, little is known regarding how the colourful clothing often worn by tourists influences the behaviour of animals. Tourists wearing colourful clothing may be more conspicuous to local wildlife and thus cause more disturbances. We therefore investigated this question in female chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in the Swiss Alps. We firstly investigated, via a morphological and an immunohistochemical approach, whether chamois are likely to have colour vision and would therefore be more likely to respond to different coloured clothing. We detected evidence of two cone types-short-wavelength-sensitive cones (S-cones, JH 455) and middle-wavelength-sensitive cones (M-cones, JH492) in the chamois retina-suggesting that chamois have dichromatic vision, similar to other ungulates. Secondly, via behavioural assays where a person wearing one of three coloured coats commonly worn by tourists (red, yellow and blue) approached a female chamois, we show that neither the alert and flight initiation distance nor the site of refuge were influenced by the raincoat colour. In addition, behavioural responses of the chamois were neither influenced by animal group size nor the presence of kids nor the time of the experiment. The results suggest that, although chamois possess colour vision, they do not react more strongly towards conspicuous colours worn by hikers. We discuss our results in light of what is already known about chamois biology and suggest implications for future studies. Abstract Alpine species are often exposed to intense levels of human recreational activities. Exactly how human disturbances influence the behaviour of these species is still open to much debate. For example, little is known regarding how the colourful clothing often worn by tourists influences the behaviour of animals. Tourists wearing colourful clothing may be more conspicuous to local wildlife and thus cause more disturbances. We therefore investigated this question in female chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in the Swiss Alps. We firstly investigated, via a morphological and an immunohistochemical approach, whether chamois are likely to have colour vision and would therefore be more likely to respond to different coloured clothing. We detected evidence of two cone types-short-wavelength-sensitive cones (S-cones, JH 455) and middle-wavelength-sensitive cones (M-cones, JH492) in the chamois retina-suggesting that chamois have dichromatic vision, similar to other ungulates. Secondly, via behavioural assays where a person wearing one of three coloured coats commonly worn by tourists (red, yellow and blue) approached a female chamois, we show that neither the alert and flight initiation distance nor the site of refuge were influenced by the raincoat colour. In addition, behavioural responses of the chamois were neither influenced by animal group size nor the...

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“…UV vision has been demonstrated in a variety of animals, including insects (e.g., Silberglied, 1979;Tovée, 1995;Chittka et al, 2013), birds (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2011;Aidala et al, 2012), and non-primate mammals (Müller et al, 2009;Douglas and Jeffery, 2014), in which its specific function is not known (Hunt et al, 2001;Chavez et al, 2003;Honkavaara et al, 2008;Jacobs, 2009). Moreover, the only species of Cervidae examined (white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus Z. and fallow deer Dama dama L.) were both found visually insensitive to very short wavelength UV (325 nm; Jacobs et al, 1994). These species are found in sub-temperate and temperate zones, whereas Rangifer is a boreal to super-boreal species complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultraviolet Vision May Enhance the Ability of Reindeer to Discriminate Plants in Snow

Tyler¹,

Jeffery²,

Hogg³

et al. 2014

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. In reindeer/caribou (Rangifer tarandus), the lens and cornea of the eye transmit ultraviolet (UV) light, and the retinae respond to it electrophysiologically. Here we tie this finding to the unusual visual environment experienced by these animals and propose that their sensitivity to UV light enhances vision at the low luminance characteristic of the polar winter. For such visual enhancement to occur, it is essential that functional components of the environment, such as forage plants, be visually salient under natural UV luminance. It is not self-evident, however, that this is the case. Although organic material generally absorbs UV radiation, powerful scattering of UV light by snow crystals potentially reduces contrast with the background. We therefore recorded UV images of vegetation in situ on snow-covered pasture under natural winter (March) luminance in northern Norway. For each vegetation scene, we made three monochrome digital images at 350 -390 nm (UV-Only), 400 -750 nm (No-UV), and 350 -750 nm (control), respectively. Plants at the snow surface appeared in high achromatic contrast against snow in UV-Only images. The contrast was substantially greater in the UV-Only images than in corresponding images in which UV was blocked. We conclude that plants are visually salient under natural UV luminance at wavelengths to which Rangifer are sensitive. This sensitivity is likely to improve the animals' ability to discriminate forage in snow, particularly at low but relatively UV-enriched twilight luminance.Key words: albedo, caribou, Rangifer, reindeer, foraging, snow, ultraviolet, vascular plants, vision RÉSUMÉ. Le cristallin et la cornée de l'oeil du caribou (aussi connu sous le nom de renne) (Rangifer tarandus) transmettent une lumière ultraviolette (UV), à laquelle la rétine envoie une réponse électrophysiologique. Ici, nous faisons le lien entre cette observation et l'environnement visuel inhabituel de ces animaux, puis nous proposons que leur sensibilité à la lumière UV enrichit leur vision dans la faible luminance de l'hiver polaire. Pour que cet enrichissement ait lieu, il est essentiel que les composantes fonctionnelles de l'environnement, comme les plantes fourragères, soient visuellement saillantes sous la luminance UV naturelle. Il ne va cependant pas de soi que c'est le cas. Bien que la matière organique absorbe généralement le rayonnement ultraviolet, la diffusion puissante de la lumière UV découlant de la présence des cristaux de neige peut avoir pour effet de réduire le contraste avec l'arrière-plan. Par conséquent, nous avons enregistré des images ultraviolettes de la végétation in situ dans des pâturages couverts de neige sous la luminance naturelle de l'hiver (en mars), dans le nord de la Norvège. Pour chacune des scènes de végétation, nous avons fait trois images monochromes numériques, soit 350 à 390 nm (UV seulement), 400 à 750 nm (sans UV) et 350 à 750 nm (contrôlé), respectivement. Les plantes à la surface de la neige apparaissaient en fort contraste achromatique contre la neige...

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Electrophysiological measurements of spectral mechanisms in the retinas of two cervids: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and fallow deer (Dama dama)

Cited by 56 publications

References 11 publications

Arctic reindeer extend their visual range into the ultraviolet

Arctic reindeer extend their visual range into the ultraviolet

Cone opsins and response of female chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) to differently coloured raincoats

Ultraviolet Vision May Enhance the Ability of Reindeer to Discriminate Plants in Snow

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