Navigation by light polarization in clear and turbid waters

Lerner, Amit; Sabbah, Shai; Erlick, Carynelisa; Shashar, Nadav

doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0189

Cited by 48 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…We found that refraction affects the LPPF mainly at low sun elevations near sunrise or sunset, changing the location of the neutral points from their position in the exact F/B directions in the theoretical Rayleigh LPPF, in agreement with Adams and Gray [25], although the effect of refraction on the location of the neutral points may not be as significant when multiple scattering occurs [14]. This is important because refraction may be used as a reference for navigation by polarization-sensitive marine species, as the refraction angle in water limits the e-vector orientation in clear conditions at viewing angles around the horizon [41]. Refraction increases polarization mainly in the F/B scattering directions, which may also be useful for polarization-based contrast detection (i.e., the polarization difference between a target and its background; see [42,43]).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Sensitivity study on the effects of hydrosol size and composition on linear polarization in absorbing and nonabsorbing clear and semi-turbid waters

Lerner¹,

Shashar²,

Haspel³

2012

J. Opt. Soc. Am. A

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A full Mie scattering subroutine is employed to calculate what we call the linear polarization phase function (LPPF; percent polarization and e-vector orientation of radiation as a function of scattering angle) that results from refraction of the direct solar beam from air into water followed by single scattering by spherical hydrosols. The separate effects of refraction at the air-water interface, hydrosol size, the real and imaginary parts of the hydrosol refractive index, and absorption by the surrounding medium (water) on the LPPF are investigated. All of the above factors are found to alter the LPPF, changing the value of the maximum percent polarization (P(max)), the location of P(max), the number of fluctuations in the LPPF, or the location of the neutral points (points of 0 percent polarization), though absorption by the surrounding medium is found to have only a minimal effect. The character and extent of the influence on the LPPF is found to depend on the scattering regime (Rayleigh, Mie, or geometric optics). We conclude that in calculating underwater polarization, it is important to take into consideration Mie scattering even in relatively clear waters. We also find a coupling between the partial polarization and the e-vector orientation, which suggests that for some polarization-based visual tasks, only one of these would suffice. Other implications for aquatic animal polarization vision are discussed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Sensitivity study on the effects of hydrosol size and composition on linear polarization in absorbing and nonabsorbing clear and semi-turbid waters

Lerner¹,

Shashar²,

Haspel³

2012

J. Opt. Soc. Am. A

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“…To date, it was only known that polarization sensitivity is used by cuttleWsh for predation (Shashar et al 2000) and possibly in communication (Shashar et al 1996;Boal et al 2004). Squid (Jander et al 1963) exhibit spontaneous preferential swimming direction relative to the e-vector orientation, like some species of crustaceans (Horvath and Varju 2004;Sabbah et al 2005;Lerner et al 2011). CuttleWsh learn to use landmarks and the e-vector orientation in parallel.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Cuttlefish rely on both polarized light and landmarks for orientation

et al. 2012

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Cuttlefish are sensitive to linear polarization of light, a sensitivity that they use in predation and possibly in intraspecific communication. It has also been shown that cuttlefish are able to solve a maze using visual landmarks. In this study, cuttlefish were trained to solve a Y-maze with the e-vector of a polarized light and landmarks as redundant spatial information. The results showed that cuttlefish can use the e-vector orientation and landmarks in parallel to orient and that they are able to use either type of cue when the other one is missing. When they faced conflicting spatial information in the experimental apparatus, the majority of cuttlefish followed the e-vector rather than landmarks. Differences in response latencies in the different conditions of testing (training with both types of cue, tests with single cue or with conflicting information) were observed and discussed in terms of decision making. The ability to use near field and far field information may enable animals to interpret the partially occluded underwater light field.

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“…For much of the day and for most conditions, scattering from particles in the water column provides a predominantly horizontally polarized light field [35][36][37][38]. The result is that any animal possessing a vertical polarizing analyser, looking into this strongly (20-40%) horizontally polarized illumination, will be able to detect some objects more effectively against the resultant 'dark field' background provided by the vertical analysis of horizontally polarized light.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The retinal topography of three species of coleoid cephalopod: significance for perception of polarized light

Talbot

Marshall

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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The retinal topography of three species of coleoid cephalopod (one cuttlefish, one squid and one octopus) was investigated to examine and compare the structure, density and organization of the photoreceptors. The aim was to determine if there were areas of increased cell density and/or cell specialization that might be related to lifestyle or phylogeny. The orientation of photoreceptors around the curved surface of the retina was also mapped to reveal how the overall arrangement of cell microvilli might enable the perception of polarized light stimuli. It was found that all species possessed an increase in photoreceptor density in a horizontal streak approximately placed at the position of a potential horizon in the habitat. The overall arrangement of photoreceptor microvillar arrangements followed lines of latitude and longitude in a global projection that has been rotated by 908. This arrangement seems to map polarization sensitivities on the outside world in a vertical and horizontal grid. The potential significance of this and other retinal specializations is discussed in the context of phylogenetic and habitat differences between species.

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Navigation by light polarization in clear and turbid waters

Cited by 48 publications

References 34 publications

Sensitivity study on the effects of hydrosol size and composition on linear polarization in absorbing and nonabsorbing clear and semi-turbid waters

Sensitivity study on the effects of hydrosol size and composition on linear polarization in absorbing and nonabsorbing clear and semi-turbid waters

Cuttlefish rely on both polarized light and landmarks for orientation

The retinal topography of three species of coleoid cephalopod: significance for perception of polarized light

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