Optomotor responses of three congeneric gekkonid lizards having different daily activity times*

Frankenberg, Eliezer

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1981.tb03435.x

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…(1995). Similarly, Frankenberg (1981) showed interspecific differences in optomotor response in geckos that are active at different times of the day. Motion sensitivity that is environmentally tuned may be common in many terrestrial taxa (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Additionally, the retinal outer segments of the diurnal Sphaerodactylus are relatively smaller in size than those of nocturnal geckos, thus limiting Sphaerodactylus visual sensitivity under low light levels (Roll 2000). In a study comparing motion detection between geckos with different activity times (diurnal, nocturnal, crespusular), Frankenberg (1981) found that the diurnal geckos did better under high light intensities. However, our results suggest that despite retinal adaptations to a diurnal lifestyle, Sphaerodactylus from bright and dark environments are still better able to detect motion in relatively dim light.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Divergence of visual motion detection in diurnal geckos that inhabit bright and dark habitats

Nava¹,

Conway²,

Martins³

2009

Functional Ecology

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Summary1. Recent studies of the sensory drive hypothesis suggest that communicative signals evolve readily whereas change in sensory perception is more constrained by the demands of the physical environment. 2. Here, we find that diurnal Sphaerodactylus macrolepis geckos collected from dark, forested habitats were best able to detect motion in very dim light (< 10 lux), whereas geckos collected in brightly-lit coastal areas exhibited optimal motion detection at a much brighter light range 200-300 lux. 3. Motion detection by geckos from both habitat types declined as light intensity increased above 300 lux. These differences were observed after the lizards had been living in a common laboratory environment for 1 full year and are hence unlikely to be due to acclimation effects. 4. Light conditions for optimal visual performance match the light conditions of the natural habitats in which the lizards are found. Our results support the suggestion that visual performance may evolve quickly and that the sensory drive process may be best described as repeated coevolution between signals and receiver sensory systems. 5. Thus, for animals that inhabit wide ranges of visual habitats, the sensory drive process may potentially act differently on separate visual response properties, resulting in diverse levels of variation and divergence in visual performance and communication systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergence of visual motion detection in diurnal geckos that inhabit bright and dark habitats

Nava¹,

Conway²,

Martins³

2009

Functional Ecology

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A Hierarchical View of Gecko Locomotion: Photic Environment, Physiological Optics, and Locomotor Performance

Higham

Schmitz

2019

Integrative and Comparative Biology

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Terrestrial animals move in complex habitats that vary over space and time. The characteristics of these habitats are not only defined by the physical environment, but also by the photic environment, even though the latter has largely been overlooked. For example, numerous studies of have examined the role of habitat structure, such as incline, perch diameter, and compliance, on running performance. However, running performance likely depends heavily on light level. Geckos are an exceptional group for analyzing the role of the photic environment on locomotion as they exhibit several independent shifts to diurnality from a nocturnal ancestor, they are visually-guided predators, and they are extremely diverse. Our initial goal is to discuss the range of photic environments that can be encountered in terrestrial habitats, such as day versus night, canopy cover in a forest, fog, and clouds. We then review the physiological optics of gecko vision with some new information about retina structures, the role of vision in motor-driven behaviors, and what is known about gecko locomotion under different light conditions, before demonstrating the effect of light levels on gecko locomotor performance. Overall, we highlight the importance of integrating sensory and motor information and establish a conceptual framework as guide for future research. Several future directions, such as understanding the role of pupil dynamics, are dependent on an integrative framework. This general framework can be extended to any motor system that relies on sensory information, and can be used to explore the impact of performance features on diversification and evolution.

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Optomotor responses of three congeneric gekkonid lizards having different daily activity times*

Cited by 2 publications

References 19 publications

Divergence of visual motion detection in diurnal geckos that inhabit bright and dark habitats

Divergence of visual motion detection in diurnal geckos that inhabit bright and dark habitats

A Hierarchical View of Gecko Locomotion: Photic Environment, Physiological Optics, and Locomotor Performance

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