The photosensitive pigments in the retinae of deep-sea fish

Denton, E. J.; Warren, F. J.

doi:10.1017/s0025315400025911

Cited by 147 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…Early work in the field of visual ecology focused on the hypothesis that spectral sensitivity should evolve to maximize an individual's photon catch [5][6][7]. Tests of this hypothesis have examined the relationship between the l max of visual pigments (opsins) and the wavelengths most prevalent in ambient environment and have often found a strong relationship (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid adaptive evolution of colour vision in the threespine stickleback radiation

et al. 2016

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Vision is a sensory modality of fundamental importance for many animals, aiding in foraging, detection of predators and mate choice. Adaptation to local ambient light conditions is thought to be commonplace, and a match between spectral sensitivity and light spectrum is predicted. We use opsin gene expression to test for local adaptation and matching of spectral sensitivity in multiple independent lake populations of threespine stickleback populations derived since the last ice age from an ancestral marine form. We show that sensitivity across the visual spectrum is shifted repeatedly towards longer wavelengths in freshwater compared with the ancestral marine form. Laboratory rearing suggests that this shift is largely genetically based. Using a new metric, we found that the magnitude of shift in spectral sensitivity in each population corresponds strongly to the transition in the availability of different wavelengths of light between the marine and lake environments. We also found evidence of local adaptation by sympatric benthic and limnetic ecotypes to different light environments within lakes. Our findings indicate rapid parallel evolution of the visual system to altered light conditions. The changes have not, however, yielded a close matching of spectrum-wide sensitivity to wavelength availability, for reasons we discuss.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid adaptive evolution of colour vision in the threespine stickleback radiation

et al. 2016

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“…Amongst fish caught in shallow coastal waters this characteristic colour of retinal pigment is found only in the conger eel Conger conger (by Denton & Walker, 1958), and amongst freshwater fish only in the silver eel Anguilla anguilla (by Carlisle & Denton, 1957, referred to by Denton & Warren, 1957). Both these fish are species of Apodes, a group of which the vast majority of species are deep-water forms.…”

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On the metamorphosis of the visual pigments of Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Carlisle

Denton

1959

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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The retinae of all the species of deep-sea fish which have been studied have been shown to contain golden coloured pigments, chrysopsins, which are especially suited to the light found in their natural environment (Denton & Warren, 1957; Munz, 1958). Amongst fish caught in shallow coastal waters this characteristic colour of retinal pigment is found only in the conger eel Conger conger (by Denton & Walker, 1958), and amongst freshwater fish only in the silver eel Anguilla anguilla (by Carlisle & Denton, 1957, referred to by Denton & Warren, 1957). Both these fish are species of Apodes, a group of which the vast majority of species are deep-water forms. Both species, more- over, begin their life in the deep sea and return to it again when mature to spawn and may therefore, in one sense, be regarded as deep-sea fish. Since immature conger eels in shallow coastal waters already have a retinal pigment characteristic of a deep-sea fish, it seems very unlikely that on returning to deep water they would change away from the deep-sea form which they already possess. It is probable therefore that the conger retains a deep-sea form of retinal pigment throughout the whole of its life.

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“…Denton & Warren (1957) have shown that Myctophum punctatum, among other deep sea te1eosts, possesses a golden-coloured retinal pigment (chrysopsin). The spectral characteristics of the absorption curve for this pigment are rather similar to those for the spectral emission curve of luminescence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spectral composition of the light of the Lantern-fish,Myctophum punctatum

Nicol

1960

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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Relative spectral emission curves are available for the lights of many invertebrate animals, but none exists for fish. It seems likely that many bony fish use their photophores to signal to one another. Information about the spectral composition of fish luminescence is desirable to permit comparisons with the spectral sensitivities of fish eyes, to enable calculations to be made of luminous intensities, and to allow estimates to be made of the rate of attenuation of such lights in sea water. To further these ends, measurements were made of the spectral composition of the luminescence of the lantern-fish, Myctophum pundatum. MATERIAL AND METHODSThe lantern-fish Myctophum punctatum Rafinesque is a pelagic species that executes diurnal migrations to the surface at dusk. Specimens were collected by R.V. 'Sarsia' at three stations: 46°5iN., 60°58'W., 4 June 1959; 46°42' N., 6°09' W., 5 June 1959; 47°aI' N., 5°55' W., 7 June 1959. The fish were attracted to the side of the ship at twilight by means of a floating lamp submerged just below the surface. They were caught in hand-nets and transferred to a container of sea water on deck. Myctophids do not survive long in captivity, and the animals were used as soon as possible after capture.Myctophids possess a series of photophores on the lower surface of the head and trunk. These light up spontaneously, and bright luminous flashes are also evoked by tactile stimulation of the fish.The spectral composition of the light was determined by means of coloured filters and photomultiplier tubes (Fig. 1). The fish was placed in a black vessel which fitted into a black box. Above the box was a round aperture. Over this aperture was placed a thin cover-glass at 45°to the vertical axis. One photomultiplier (vertical) was placed directly over the cover-glass and the aperture; a second photomultiplier (horizontal) was placed at right angles to the vertical axis at one side of the cover-glass so as to catch reflected light from the latter. Between the cover-glass and the photomultiplier there was a disc, capable of being rotated, and containing a series of coloured filters which

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The photosensitive pigments in the retinae of deep-sea fish

Cited by 147 publications

References 15 publications

Rapid adaptive evolution of colour vision in the threespine stickleback radiation

Rapid adaptive evolution of colour vision in the threespine stickleback radiation

On the metamorphosis of the visual pigments of Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Spectral composition of the light of the Lantern-fish,Myctophum punctatum

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