Retinal Topography in Reef Teleosts

Collin, Shaun P.; Pettigrew, John D.

doi:10.1159/000116594

Cited by 144 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…9) . This is not in agreement with the usual retinal growth in fishes as observed in this and other studies (Johns 1981, Fernald 1985, Pankhurst 1987, Powers & Raymond 1990, Van der Meer 1993,1995 (Munk 1970, Hughes 1977, Collin & Pettigrew 1988, whereas others associate visual resolution primarily with cone density (Fernald 1985, Wagner 1990, Douglas & Hawryshyn 1990, this study) . A major flaw of the former opinion concerns the negligence of the fact that ganglion Hawryshyn 1990 for a review, Browman et al 1990, Pankhurst et al .…”

Section: Optical Properties and The Detection Of Food Itemscontrasting

confidence: 92%

Ecomorphology of retinal structures in zooplanktivorous haplochromine cichlids (Pisces) from Lake Victoria

1995

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SynopsisBefore the decline of the species flock of haplochromine cichlids of Lake Victoria due to the Nile perch upsurge, there were many co-existing haplochromine species such as the taxonomically and ecologically wellstudied zooplanktivores of the Mwanza Gulf . In spite of the scarcely separated niches of some of these species, no sign of competition for space or food could be demonstrated . As is argued in this paper, optical differentiation could well be an aspect of adaptive radiation of these, zooplanktivores, particularly among the highly sympatric species . Our hypothesis is based on the morphological modifications of retinal structures in nine zooplanktivorous species . Interspecific variation was observed in composition, size and density of the photoreceptors and ganglion cells . The analyses included the intraretinal variation and size dependency of some of the structural parameters . The optical functions deduced from retinal structure indicate distinct interspecific differences in sensitivity thresholds and a slight differentiation in visual resolution . These functions correlate poorly with the photic conditions of the species-specific habitats . The optical properties can, on the other hand, be connected with the more subtle differentiation in food items and feeding behaviour among these species . It is our concluding hypothesis, that the optical differentiation among the haplochromine zooplanktivores primarily served resource partitioning by different modes of visual prey detection rather than niche partitioning by habitat .

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Section: Optical Properties and The Detection Of Food Itemscontrasting

confidence: 92%

Ecomorphology of retinal structures in zooplanktivorous haplochromine cichlids (Pisces) from Lake Victoria

1995

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“…The retinal morphology of teleost fishes is highly diverse and correlates very well with habitat complexity and behavioural ecology [65], [66], [72]. In the mesopelagic zone, different ecological tasks are more likely to influence each species' photoreceptor topography.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Photoreceptor Size and Distribution on Optical Sensitivity in the Eyes of Lanternfishes (Myctophidae)

et al. 2014

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The mesopelagic zone of the deep-sea (200-1000 m) is characterised by exponentially diminishing levels of downwelling sunlight and by the predominance of bioluminescence emissions. The ability of mesopelagic organisms to detect and behaviourally react to downwelling sunlight and/or bioluminescence will depend on the visual task and ultimately on the eyes and their capacity for detecting low levels of illumination and intermittent point sources of bioluminescent light. In this study, we investigate the diversity of the visual system of the lanternfish (Myctophidae). We focus specifically on the photoreceptor cells by examining their size, arrangement, topographic distribution and contribution to optical sensitivity in 53 different species from 18 genera. We also examine the influence(s) of both phylogeny and ecology on these photoreceptor variables using phylogenetic comparative analyses in order to understand the constraints placed on the visual systems of this large group of mesopelagic fishes at the first stage of retinal processing. We report great diversity in the visual system of the Myctophidae at the level of the photoreceptors. Photoreceptor distribution reveals clear interspecific differences in visual specialisations (areas of high rod photoreceptor density), indicating potential interspecific differences in interactions with prey, predators and/or mates. A great diversity in photoreceptor design (length and diameter) and density is also present. Overall, the myctophid eye is very sensitive compared to other teleosts and each species seems to be specialised for the detection of a specific signal (downwelling light or bioluminescence), potentially reflecting different visual demands for survival. Phylogenetic comparative analyses highlight several relationships between photoreceptor characteristics and the ecological variables tested (depth distribution and luminous tissue patterns). Depth distribution at night was a significant factor in most of the models tested, indicating that vision at night is of great importance for lanternfishes and may drive the evolution of their photoreceptor design.

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“…Topographic maps of cone photoreceptor and ganglion cells were created by drawing isodensity contour lines between areas with similar densities as described previously (Collin & Pettigrew 1988). Spatial resolving power was estimated using the equations provided in Collin & Pettigrew (1989).…”

Section: (D) Estimating Spectral Sensitivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A spitting image: specializations in archerfish eyes for vision at the interface between air and water

et al. 2010

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Archerfish are famous for spitting jets of water to capture terrestrial insects, a task that not only requires oral dexterity, but also the ability to detect small camouflaged prey against a visually complex background of overhanging foliage. Because detection of olfactory, auditory and tactile cues is diminished at air-water interfaces, archerfish must depend almost entirely on visual cues to mediate their sensory interactions with the aerial world. During spitting, their eyes remain below the water's surface and must adapt to the optical demands of both aquatic and aerial fields of view. These challenges suggest that archerfish eyes may be specially adapted to life at the interface between air and water. Using microspectrophotometry to characterize the spectral absorbance of photoreceptors, we find that archerfish have differentially tuned their rods and cones across their retina, correlated with spectral differences in aquatic and aerial fields of view. Spatial resolving power also differs for aquatic and aerial fields of view with maximum visual resolution (6.9 cycles per degree) aligned with their preferred spitting angle. These measurements provide insight into the functional significance of intraretinal variability in archerfish and infer intraretinal variability may be expected among surface fishes or vertebrates where different fields of view vary markedly.

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Retinal Topography in Reef Teleosts

Cited by 144 publications

References 21 publications

Ecomorphology of retinal structures in zooplanktivorous haplochromine cichlids (Pisces) from Lake Victoria

Ecomorphology of retinal structures in zooplanktivorous haplochromine cichlids (Pisces) from Lake Victoria

The Influence of Photoreceptor Size and Distribution on Optical Sensitivity in the Eyes of Lanternfishes (Myctophidae)

A spitting image: specializations in archerfish eyes for vision at the interface between air and water

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