Polarization sensitivity in two species of cuttlefish –Sepia plangon(Gray 1849) andSepia mestus(Gray 1849) – demonstrated with polarized optomotor stimuli

Abstract

SUMMARYThe existence of polarization sensitivity (PS), most likely resulting from the orthogonal arrangement of microvilli in photoreceptors, has been proposed in cephalopods for some time, although it has rarely been examined behaviourally. Here, we tested the mourning cuttlefish, Sepia plangon, and the reaper cuttlefish, Sepia mestus, for polarization sensitivity using a largefield optomotor stimulus containing polarization contrast. Polaroid filter drums with stripes producing alternating e-vectors were rotated around free-moving animals. Polarized optomotor responses were displayed, and these responses were similar to those performed in response to a black-and-white, vertically-striped drum, whereas no responses were displayed to a plain polarizing control drum producing just a vertical e-vector. This indicates that the animals are able to see the contrast between adjacent stripes in the polarizing drum. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of functional polarization sensitivity in cuttlefish.

Maturation of polarization and luminance contrast sensitivities in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)

“…At 30days, at least half of the cuttlefish responded to the polarization pattern at all velocities, except for the highest rotation rate of 130degs -1 (Fig.3). Previous studies demonstrated an OMR to polarized stripes in other mature cuttlefish species, using a velocity of 12degs -1 and with stripes 2.5cm in width (Talbot and Marshall, 2010a;Talbot and Marshall, 2010b), which raises the possibility that our cuttlefish would have responded to slower rotating patterns as well. However, Darmaillacq and Shashar (Darmaillacq and Shashar, 2008) did not succeed in eliciting an OMR to a polarized pattern in adult Sepia elongata, using velocities ranging from 34 to 178degs -1 , although S. elongata possess orthogonal photoreceptors in their retina suggesting the ability for polarization detection.…”

“…These apparently puzzling results could be explained by the higher speed of motion for the rotating pattern compared with the nearly stationary prey. In such a case, using a slowly moving pattern (Talbot and Marshall, 2010a;Talbot and Marshall, 2010b) might elicit stronger responses even in very young animals. Alternatively, these apparently contradicting results can be due to differences in the size of the receptive fields of the retina needed to detect each type of signal.…”

“…OMR induced in juvenile Sepia officinalis improved in luminance-contrast-based visual acuity from a minimum separated angle of 2.5deg in cuttlefish measuring 1cm to 0.5deg for cuttlefish measuring 8cm (Groeger et al, 2005). OMR was also used to examine PS in adult cuttlefish of different species, but has not yet been studied in hatchlings (Darmaillacq and Shashar, 2008;Talbot and Marshall, 2010a;Talbot and Marshall, 2010b). Newly hatched cuttlefish are able to visually discriminate between different crab phenotypes, suggesting good detection of prey based on luminance contrast (Guibé et al, 2012).…”

Dynamic Skin Patterns in Cephalopods

“…For example, moving gratings (similar to the Broadclub hunting display) and visual playback of looming patterns (similar to S. apama agonistic displays and Octopus chromatic pulses) have been used extensively to study the visual capabilities of a wide range of animal species, including cephalopods themselves (e.g., Talbot and Marshall, 2010; Temple et al, 2012). These experimental methods are designed to stimulate the motion detection system of the animal viewing the stimulus, and it seems likely that the natural dynamic displays of cephalopods have evolved for a similar purpose.…”

Ultrastructure studies on Retina and Cornea of Octopus macropus from Egyptian Mediterranean Coasts

“…The polarization sensitivity (PS) in two species of cuttlefish; Sepia plangon and Sepia mestus using wide-field optomotor stimuli were studied (Talbot and Marshall , 2010). Construction of model of computer for studying the visual system in cephalopods (Octopus, cuttlefish and squid), that have single unfiltered photoreceptor mechanism was discussed (Stubb and Stubbs, 2016).…”