The Optics of Polarization Sensitivity

Waterman, Talbot H.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-80934-7_20

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…1b, c) situated adjacent to the crystalline cone-like structure. We used criteria adapted from Waterman (1975), outlined in the last paragraph of the Introduction, to determine if any of the multiple retinas found in E1 or E2 could potentially be polarization sensitive.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since consistent microvillar organization is an important criterion for polarization sensitivity (Waterman 1975), we systematically determined the angular distribution of the microvilli for each of the three cell types using TEM data. For these measurements, the horizontal cleft between the ventral and dorsal portions was used as a reference line for all angular specifications, with horizontal corresponding to 0°.…”

Section: Consistency Of Microvillar Organization In the Prementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Generally, invertebrate eyes which are sensitive to the polarization of light possess rhabdomeres that are oriented orthogonally to each other (Wehner and Labhart 2006). Polarization sensitivity is a feature that is frequently inherent to rhabdomeric photoreceptors, due to the predominantly parallel orientation of the visual pigment to the long axis of the microvillus, and the parallel stacking of the microvilli within the rhabdomere (Eguchi and Waterman 1968;Goldsmith 1975Goldsmith , 1977Waterman 1975). Light is absorbed maximally when its predominant plane of polarization (e-vector) is parallel to the long axis of a microvillus (Eguchi and Waterman 1968;Goldsmith 1975Goldsmith , 1977Wehner and Labhart 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Retinal ultrastructure may mediate polarization sensitivity in larvae of the Sunburst diving beetle, Thermonectus marmoratus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

2010

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A number of invertebrates are known to be sensitive to the polarization of light and use this trait in orientation, communication, or prey detection. In these animals polarization sensitivity tends to originate in rhabdomeric photoreceptors that are more or less uniformly straight and parallel. Typically, polarization sensitivity is based on paired sets of photoreceptors with orthogonal orientation of their rhabdomeres. Sunburst diving beetle larvae are active swimmers and highly visual hunters which could potentially profit from polarization sensitivity. These larvae, like those of most Dytiscids, have a cluster of six lens eyes or stemmata (designated E1 through E6) on each side of the head capsule. We examined the ultrastructure of the photoreceptor cells of the principal eyes (E1 and E2) of first instar larvae to determine whether their rhabdomeric organization could support polarization sensitivity. A detailed electron microscopical study shows that the proximal retinas of E1 and E2 are in fact composed of photoreceptors with predominantly parallel microvilli and that neighboring rhabdomeres are oriented approximately perpendicularly to one another. A similar organization is observed in the medial retina of E1, but not in the distal retinas of E1&2. Our findings suggest that T. marmoratus larvae might be able to analyze polarized light. If so, this could be used by freshly hatched larvae to find water or within the water to break the camouflage of common prey items such as mosquito larvae. Physiological and behavioral tests are planned to determine whether larvae of T. marmoratus can actually detect and exploit polarization signals.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Consistency Of Microvillar Organization In the Prementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Retinal ultrastructure may mediate polarization sensitivity in larvae of the Sunburst diving beetle, Thermonectus marmoratus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

2010

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“…In cephalopods and decapod Crustacea the rhabdomeric microvilli are oriented parallel to either the anteroposterior H-axis or the dorsoventral V-axis of the whole animal (see EAKIN, 1972;WATERMAN, 1975); other examples are the water strider (SCHNEIDER and LANGER, 1969), pierid butterflies (MEYER-ROCHOW, 1971a) and hymenopteran insects (WEHNER, 1976). Furthermore, orthogonality exists between the microvilli of the two central retinular cells of flies (see Sec.…”

Section: Calls Braitenberg'sx-and Y-axes D-and V-axesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Pseudopupils of Compound Eyes

Stavenga

1979

Handbook of Sensory Physiology

149

191

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“…) Although we lack detailed studies of the longitudinal rhabdom structure and its circadian changes, we may say that, since at least one of the two central retinula cells has two crests of orthogonally aligned microvilli, it is impossible for these animals to detect polarized light with such a system. In compensation for this functional loss, the V-structure should make for increased light sensitivity (see Laughlin et al 1975;Waterman 1975). However, since we know next to nothing about the functional causes of the enormous adaptive radiation of the Cimicomorpha and Pentatomomorpha, we abstain from speculations about the possible functional advantage of the Vpattern.…”

Section: Cimicomorpha and Pentatomomorphamentioning

confidence: 99%

The rhabdom structure in the ommatidia of the Heteroptera (Insecta), and its phylogenetic significance

Fischer¹,

Mahner

Wachmann³

2000

Zoomorphology

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In its plesiomorphic state the insect ommatidium consists of eight retinula cells forming a fused rhabdom. It has long been observed that, in contrast to this pattern, Heteroptera have open rhabdoms. However, there has so far been no comprehensive and comparative study of heteropteran ommatidia. For this reason, we investigated the rhabdom structure in 36 species from all higher groups of Heteroptera, as well as from Coleorrhyncha and Auchenorrhyncha as outgroup representatives. In addition we surveyed the data of earlier authors, which brings the number of examined species to a total of more than 70. All examined Heteroptera do have open rhabdoms, with a system of six peripheral and two central rhabdomeres. Outgroup comparison shows that the open rhabdom is an autapomorphy of the Heteroptera. As for the rhabdom structure within the Heteroptera, we found further autapomorphic patterns in Corixidae (Nepomorpha), Gerromorpha, and Leptopodomorpha. Finally, the Cimicomorpha and Pentatomomorpha share a special pattern of the two central rhabdomeres, which we call V-pattern. This is a new synapomorphy of these two taxa.

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The Optics of Polarization Sensitivity

Cited by 18 publications

References 81 publications

Retinal ultrastructure may mediate polarization sensitivity in larvae of the Sunburst diving beetle, Thermonectus marmoratus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Retinal ultrastructure may mediate polarization sensitivity in larvae of the Sunburst diving beetle, Thermonectus marmoratus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Pseudopupils of Compound Eyes

The rhabdom structure in the ommatidia of the Heteroptera (Insecta), and its phylogenetic significance

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