Scotopic and photopic vision in the California ground squirrel: physiological and anatomical evidence

Characterizing the rod pathway in cone-dominated thirteen-lined ground squirrels

AII-amacrine cells (AIIs) are widely accepted as a critical element of scotopic pathways mediating night vision in the mammalian retina and have been well-characterized in rod-dominant mice, rabbits, and non-human primates. The rod pathway is characteristic of all mammalian eyes, however, the anatomic and physiologic role of AIIs and the rod pathways in cone dominant thirteen-lined ground squirrels (TLGS) is limited. Here, we employed both immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological approaches to investigate the morphology of AIIs and functional aspects of the rod pathway in TLGS. In all TLGS retinas examined, putative AIIs were calretinin-positive and exhibited connections to rod bipolar cells with decreased cell density and expanded arborization. Notably, AIIs retained connections with each other via gap junctions labeled with Connexin36. Comparisons between single photoreceptor recordings and full-field electroretinograms revealed scotopic ERG responses were mediated by both rods and cones. Thus, the components of the rod pathway are conserved in TLGS and rod signals traverse the retina in these cone-dominant animals. AIIs are sparsely populated, matching the diminished rod and rod bipolar cell populations compared to rod-dominant species. The infrequent distribution and lateral spacing of AII's indicate that they probably do not play a significant role in cone signaling pathways that encode information at a finer spatial scale. This contrasts with the mouse retina, where they significantly contribute to cone signaling pathways. Therefore, the AII's original function is likely that of a 'rod' amacrine cell, and its role in cone pathways in the mouse retina might be an adaptive feature stemming from its rod dominance.

Electroretinogram of the Cone-Dominant Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel during Euthermia and Hibernation in Comparison with the Rod-Dominant Brown Norway Rat

Purpose

The majority of small animal species used in research are nocturnal, with retinae that are anatomically and functionally dissimilar from humans, complicating their use as disease models. Herein we characterize the retinal structure and electrophysiological function of the diurnal, cone-dominant 13-lined ground squirrel (13-LGS) retina during euthermia and in hibernation.

Methods

Full-field electroretinography (ERG) was performed in 13-LGS and Brown Norway (BN) rat models to establish baseline values for retinal function in each species, including following intravitreal injection of pharmacologic agents to selectively block the contributions of ON- and OFF-bipolar cells. The effect of hibernation-associated retinal remodeling on electrophysiological function was assessed in 13-LGS during torpor and emergence, with correlative histology performed using transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Under light-adapted conditions, the a-, b-, and d-wave amplitude of the 13-LGS was significantly greater than that of the BN rat. Retinal function was absent in the 13-LGS during hibernation and correlated to widespread disruption of photoreceptor and RPE structure. Remarkably, both retinal function and structure recovered rapidly on emergence from hibernation, with ERG responses reaching normal amplitude within 6 hours.

Conclusions

ERG responses for both BN rats and 13-LGS reflect the relative proportions of cone photoreceptors present within the retinae, indicating that the cone-dominant 13-LGS may be a potentially useful model for studying human central retinal function and disease. That retinal remodeling and restoration of electrophysiological function occurs rapidly on emergence from hibernation implies the 13-LGS may also be a useful tool for studying aspects of retinal physiology and recovery from injury.

Ground squirrel - A cool model for a bright vision

The great evolutionary biologist, Theodosius Dobzhansky, once said, "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." Vision, no doubt, is a poster child for the work of evolution. If it has not already been said, I would humbly add that "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the context of metabolism." Marrying these two thoughts together, when one chooses an animal model for vision research, the ground squirrel jumps out immediately for its unique cone dominant retina, which has evolved for its diurnal lifestyle, and for hibernation-an adaptation to unique metabolic challenges encountered during its winter sojourn.

Human red and green cone opsins are O-glycosylated at an N-terminal Ser/Thr-rich domain conserved in vertebrates

There are fundamental differences in the structures of outer segments between rod and cone photoreceptor cells in the vertebrate retina. Visual pigments are the only essential membrane proteins that differ between rod and cone outer segments, making it likely that they contribute to these structural differences. Human rhodopsin is N-glycosylated on Asn² and Asn¹⁵, whereas human (h) red and green cone opsins (hOPSR and hOPSG, respectively) are N-glycosylated at Asn³⁴ Here, utilizing a monoclonal antibody (7G8 mAB), we demonstrate that hOPSR and hOPSG from human retina also are O-glycosylated with full occupancy. We determined that 7G8 mAB recognizes the N-terminal sequence ²¹DSTQSSIF²⁸ of hOPSR and hOPSG from extracts of human retina, but only after their O-glycans have been removed with O-glycosidase treatment, thus revealing this post-translational modification of red and green cone opsins. In addition, we show that hOPSR and hOPSG from human retina are recognized by jacalin, a lectin that binds to O-glycans, preferentially to Gal-GalNAc. Next, we confirmed the presence of O-glycans on OPSR and OPSG from several vertebrate species, including mammals, birds, and amphibians. Finally, the analysis of bovine OPSR by MS identified an O-glycan on Ser²², a residue that is semi-conserved (Ser or Thr) among vertebrate OPSR and OPSG. These results suggest that O-glycosylation is a fundamental feature of red and green cone opsins, which may be relevant to their function or to cone cell development, and that differences in this post-translational modification also could contribute to the different morphologies of rod and cone photoreceptors.

Comparative studies of diurnal and nocturnal rodents: differences in lifestyle result in alterations in cortical field size and number

In this study we examine and describe the neuroanatomical organization of sensory cortex in four rodents: laboratory Norway rats (Long Evans; Rattus norvegicus), wild-caught Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), wild-caught California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi), and wild-caught Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Specifically, we examined the myeloarchitecture and cytochrome oxidase reactivity for several well-identified areas in visual cortex (areas 17, 18, and 19), somatosensory cortex (areas S1, S2 and PV), and auditory cortex [areas A1+AAF (R) and TA] and compared the percentage of dorsolateral cortex devoted to each of these areas. Our results demonstrate that squirrels have a larger mean percentage of dorsolateral cortex devoted to visual areas than rats. The difference is due to the greater percentage of cortex devoted to known areas such as area 17 and area 18 and not simply to a difference in the number of visual areas, which ultimately makes this distinction even more pronounced. Furthermore, both rat groups have a larger percentage of the dorsolateral cortex devoted to somatosensory and auditory cortical areas. Differences within groups were also observed. The arboreal squirrel had a larger mean percentage of dorsolateral cortex devoted to areas 17 and 18 compared with the terrestrial squirrel. The laboratory Norway rat had a larger percentage of dorsolateral cortex devoted to both somatosensory and auditory areas than the wild-caught Norway rat. Our results indicate that differences in sensory apparatus, use of sensory systems, and niche are reflected in the organization and size of cortical areas.

The Molecular Evolution of Avian Ultraviolet- and Violet-Sensitive Visual Pigments

The shortwave-sensitive SWS1 class of vertebrate visual pigments range in lambda(max) from the violet (385-445 nm) to the ultraviolet (UV) (365-355 nm), with UV-sensitivity almost certainly ancestral. In birds, however, the UV-sensitive pigments present in a number of species have evolved secondarily from an avian violet-sensitive (VS) pigment. All avian VS pigments expressed in vitro to date encode Ser86 whereas Phe86 is present in all non-avian ultraviolet sensitive (UVS) pigments. In this paper, we show by site directed mutagenesis of avian VS pigments that Ser86 is required in an avian VS pigment to maintain violet-sensitivity and therefore underlies the evolution of avian VS pigments. The major mechanism for the evolution of avian UVS pigments from an ancestral avian VS pigment is undoubtedly a Ser90Cys substitution. However, Phe86, as found in the Blue-crowned trogon, will also short-wave shift the pigeon VS pigment into the UV whereas Ala86 and Cys86 which are also found in natural avian pigments do not generate short-wave shifts when substituted into the pigeon pigment. From available data on avian SWS1 pigments, it would appear that UVS pigments have evolved on at least 5 separate occasions and utilize 2 different mechanisms for the short-wave shift.

A hybrid photoreceptor expressing both rod and cone genes in a mouse model of enhanced S-cone syndrome

Rod and cone photoreceptors subserve vision under dim and bright light conditions, respectively. The differences in their function are thought to stem from their different gene expression patterns, morphologies, and synaptic connectivities. In this study, we have examined the photoreceptor cells of the retinal degeneration 7(rd7) mutant mouse, a model for the human enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS). This mutant carries a spontaneous deletion in the mouse ortholog of NR2E3, an orphan nuclear receptor transcription factor mutated in ESCS. Employing microarray and in situ hybridization analysis we have found that the rd7 retina contains a modestly increased number of S-opsin-expressing cells that ultrastructurally appear to be normal cones. Strikingly, the majority of the photoreceptors in the rd7 retina represent a morphologically hybrid cell type that expresses both rod- and cone-specific genes. In addition, in situ hybridization screening of genes shown to be up-regulated in the rd7 mutant retina by microarray identified ten new cone-specific or cone-enriched genes with a wide range of biochemical functions, including two genes specifically involved in glucose/glycogen metabolism. We suggest that the abnormal electroretinograms, slow retinal degeneration, and retinal dysmorphology seen in humans with ESCS may, in part, be attributable to the aberrant function of a hybrid photoreceptor cell type similar to that identified in this study. The functional diversity of the novel cone-specific genes identified here indicates molecular differences between rods and cones extending far beyond those previously discovered.

Laminar organization of response properties in primary visual cortex of the gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a diurnal highly visual rodent with a cone-rich retina. To determine which features of visual cortex are common to highly visual mammals and which are restricted to non-rodent species, we studied the laminar organization of response properties in primary visual area V1 of isoflurane-anesthetized squirrels using extra-cellular single-unit recording and sinusoidal grating stimuli. Of the responsive cells, 75% were tuned for orientation. Only 10% were directionally selective, almost all in layer 6, a layer receiving direct input from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Cone opponency was widespread but almost absent from layer 6. Median optimal spatial frequency tuning was 0.21 cycles/ degrees . Median optimal temporal frequency a high 5.3 Hz. Layer 4 had the highest percentage of simple cells and shortest latency (26 ms). Layers 2/3 had the lowest spontaneous activity and highest temporal frequency tuning. Layer 5 had the broadest spatial frequency tuning and most spontaneous activity. At the layer 4/5 border were sustained cells with high cone opponency. Simple cells, determined by modulation to drifting sinusoidal gratings, responded with shorter latencies, were more selective for orientation and direction, and were tuned to lower spatial frequencies. A comparison with other mammals shows that although the laminar organization of orientation selectivity is variable, the cortical input layers contain more linear cells in most mammals. Nocturnal mammals appear to have more orientation-selective neurons in V1 than diurnal mammals of similar size.

In intact mammalian photoreceptors, Ca2+-dependent modulation of cGMP-gated ion channels is detectable in cones but not in rods

In the mammalian retina, cone photoreceptors efficiently adapt to changing background light intensity and, therefore, are able to signal small differences in luminance between objects and backgrounds, even when the absolute intensity of the background changes over five to six orders of magnitude. Mammalian rod photoreceptors, in contrast, adapt very little and only at intensities that nearly saturate the amplitude of their photoresponse. In search of a molecular explanation for this observation we assessed Ca²⁺-dependent modulation of ligand sensitivity in cyclic GMP–gated (CNG) ion channels of intact mammalian rods and cones. Solitary photoreceptors were isolated by gentle proteolysis of ground squirrel retina. Rods and cones were distinguished by whether or not their outer segments bind PNA lectin. We measured membrane currents under voltage-clamp in photoreceptors loaded with Diazo-2, a caged Ca²⁺ chelator, and fixed concentrations of 8Br-cGMP. At 600 nM free cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ the midpoint of the cone CNG channels sensitivity to 8BrcGMP, ^8BrcGMPK_1/2, is ∼2.3 μM. The ligand sensitivity is less in rod than in cone channels. Instantly decreasing cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ to <30 nM activates a large inward membrane current in cones, but not in rods. Current activation arises from a Ca²⁺ -dependent modulation of cone CNG channels, presumably because of an increase in their affinity to the cyclic nucleotide. The time course of current activation is temperature dependent; it is well described by a single exponential process of ∼480 ms time constant at 20–21°C and 138 ms at 32°C. The absence of detectable Ca²⁺-dependent CNG current modulation in intact rods, in view of the known channel modulation by calmodulin in-vitro, affirms the modulation in intact rods may only occur at low Ca²⁺ concentrations, those expected at intensities that nearly saturate the rod photoresponse. The correspondence between Ca²⁺ dependence of CNG modulation and the ability to light adapt suggest these events are correlated in photoreceptors.

Identification of a cone bipolar cell in cat retina which has input from both rod and cone photoreceptors

It has been generally accepted that rod photoreceptor cells in the mammalian retina make synaptic contact with only a single population of rod bipolar cells, whereas cone photoreceptors contact a variety of cone bipolar cells. This assumption has been challenged in rodents by reports of a type of cone bipolar cell which receives input from both rods and cones. Questions remained as to whether similar pathways are present in other mammals. We have used an antiserum against the glutamate transporter GLT1-B to visualize a population of cone bipolar cells in the cat retina which make flat contacts with axon terminals of both rod and cone photoreceptor cells. These cells are identified as OFF-cone bipolar cells and correspond morphologically to type cb1 (CBa2) cone bipolar cells which are a major source of input to OFF-beta ganglion cells in the cat retina. The GLT1-B transporter was also localized to processes making flat contacts with photoreceptor terminals in rat and rabbit retinas. Examination of tissue processed for the GluR1 glutamate receptor subunit showed that cb1 cone bipolar cells, like their rodent counterparts, express this alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-selective receptor at their contacts with rod spherules. Thus, a direct excitatory pathway from rod photoreceptors to OFF-cone bipolar cells appears to be a common feature of mammalian retinas.

The mammalian photoreceptor mosaic-adaptive design

Unlike in birds and cold-blooded vertebrates' retinas, the photoreceptors of mammalian retinas were long supposed to be morphologically uniform and difficult to distinguish into subtypes. A number of new techniques have now begun to overcome the previous limitations. A hitherto unexpected variability of spectral and morphological subtypes and topographic patterns of distribution in the various retinas are being revealed. We begin to understand the design of the photoreceptor mosaics, the constraints of evolutionary history and the ecological specialization of these mosaics in all the mammalian subgroups. The review discusses current cytological identification of mammalian photoreceptor types and speculates on the likely "bottleneck-scenario" for the origin of the basic design of the mammalian retina. It then provides a brief synopsis of current data on the photoreceptors in the various mammalian orders and derives some trends for phenomena such as rod/cone dualism, spectral range, preservation or loss of double cones and oil droplets, photopigment co-expression and mono- and tri-chromacy. Finally, we attempt to demonstrate that, building on the limits of an ancient rod dominant (probably dichromatic) model, mammalian retinas have developed considerable radiation. Comparing the nonprimate models with the intensively studied primate model should provide us with a deeper understanding of the basic design of the mammalian retina.

Modelling the mosaic organization of rod and cone photoreceptors with a minimal-spacing rule

The mosaic of photoreceptors is regarded as a prime example of the precise control of cellular positioning in the vertebrate nervous system. This study was undertaken with the idea that understanding the intrinsic geometrical features of photoreceptor mosaics is a necessary step to unveil the biological mechanisms governing their formation. We show in the retina of the ground squirrel that the arrays of both the rods and S cones are non-random, but that nothing more than a simple minimal-spacing rule constraining receptor positioning is sufficient to account for the spatial organization of both mosaics. The size of this 'exclusion zone' is an intrinsic characteristic of each cell type, and it is simply the difference in the size of this domain that accounts for the regularity of the S cone array and the irregularity of the rod array at identical density. Consequently, regularity in receptor mosaics is produced by two independent biological events, one embodying the exclusion zone, and another specifying the local density of a given receptor type.

Retinal neurons of the California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi: a Golgi study

Although the optic nerve fibers of the cone-dominant ground squirrel retina have been well studied physiologically, the morphological details of the retinal neurons have not. To that end, retinal neurons of the California ground squirrel have been studied in Golgi-impregnated wholemounts. Two types of horizontal cell have been identified: H1 has an axon and axon terminal, whereas H2 is axonless. The dendritic field of H1 cells enlarges in a nonuniform manner with increasing displacement from the central retina. The smallest examples lie centrally in the visual streak, and the largest occur in the superior periphery. Eight types of bipolar cell are distinguished by morphological differences in dendritic branching pattern and field size in the outer plexiform layer, cell body size, and layering within the inner nuclear layer and by the morphology and stratification of axon terminals in the inner plexiform layer. A large bistratified bipolar cell (B8) is introduced here; the other 7 types closely resemble those in the retinas of other sciurid species described by R.W. West (1976, J. Comp. Neurol. 168:355-378; 1978, Vision Res. 18:129-136). The B1 type is proposed as a blue cone bipolar cell. Amacrine cells are classified into 27 cell types. Six of these occur as mirror-image pairs across the inner plexiform layer, the soma of one of each pair being "displaced" to the ganglion cell layer. The best described of these pairs is the very elaborate starburst amacrine cell, A5, which stains regularly in these wholemounted retinas. Changes in dendritic field size of both A5 subtypes with retinal location are quantified. The morphology of three amacrine cell types identified in Spermophilus beecheyi suggests that their possible counterparts in S. mexicanus (West, 1976) were, as displaced amacrine cells, misidentified as ganglion cells. Amacrine cell types that may play roles in the rod pathway, the blue cone pathway, and ganglion cell directional selectivity are discussed. No type of interplexiform cell was observed. Ganglion cells are classified into 19 cell types, 9 of which probably correspond to the ganglion cells described by West (1976) in the Mexican ground squirrel. The bistratified G11 cell is proposed as an ON-OFF directionally selective type.

Photoreceptor cell types in the retina of various vertebrate species: immunocytochemistry with antibodies against rhodopsin and iodopsin

Types of photoreceptor cells in the retinas of 36 species of vertebrates (5 classes, 14 orders) were investigated immunocytochemically with monoclonal antibodies against chicken iodopsin (Io-mAb) and antiserum against bovine rhodopsin (Rh-As). In mammals, Rh-As labeled the outer segments of some photoreceptor cells in striped squirrels (a diurnal mammal) and those of most photoreceptor cells in mice (a nocturnal mammal), while Io-mAb labeled any photoreceptor cells in either of them. In all species of birds studied, Io-mAb labeled the principal and accessory members of double cones and single cones with a red oil droplet. Rh-As labeled single cones with a yellow or clear oil droplet in addition to rods. In turtles, both Rh-As and Io-mAb labeled single cones with a red or clear oil droplet and the principal (with a yellow oil droplet) and accessory members of double cones. This suggests that the visual pigments in these cones of turtles have common epitopes with bovine rhodopsin and chicken iodopsin. In Japanese grass lizards, single cones with a yellow oil droplet and double cones were immunoreactive to both Rh-As and Io-mAb. In snakes, rods and cones could not be distinguished but both positively and negatively stained cells were observed by the use of each antibody. In geckos, however, all photoreceptor cells were immunonegative to Io-mAb. In all species studied in amphibians, Rh-As labeled rods but not cones. Neither rods nor cones reacted with Io-mAb. In fishes, almost all species studied had well developed cones, and some of these cones were labeled by Rh-As. However, Io-mAb labeled the outer segments of some cones only in loaches. Rh-As labeled photoreceptor cells in all species of fishes studied. Thus, Rh-As recognized the outer segments of rods in all species studied from fishes to mammals, whereas the epitope recognized by Io-mAb is conserved in some species of fishes, most species of reptiles and all species of birds studied.

Localization of peripherin/rds in the disk membranes of cone and rod photoreceptors: relationship to disk membrane morphogenesis and retinal degeneration

The outer segments of vertebrate rod photoreceptor cells consist of an ordered stack of membrane disks, which, except for a few nascent disks at the base of the outer segment, is surrounded by a separate plasma membrane. Previous studies indicate that the protein, peripherin or peripherin/rds, is localized along the rim of mature disks of rod outer segments. A mutation in the gene for this protein has been reported to be responsible for retinal degeneration in the rds mouse. In the present study, we have shown by immunogold labeling of rat and ground squirrel retinas that peripherin/rds is present in the disk rims of cone outer segments as well as rod outer segments. Additionally, in the basal regions of rod and cone outer segments, where disk morphogenesis occurs, we have found that the distribution of peripherin/rds is restricted to a region that is adjacent to the cilium. Extension of its distribution from the cilium coincides with the formation of the disk rim. These results support the model of disk membrane morphogenesis that predicts rim formation to be a second stage of growth, after the first stage in which the ciliary plasma membrane evaginates to form open nascent disks. The results also indicate how the proteins of the outer segment plasma membrane and the disk membranes are sorted into their separate domains: different sets of proteins may be incorporated into membrane outgrowths during different growth stages of disk morphogenesis. Finally, the presence of peripherin/rds protein in both cone and rod outer segment disks, together with the phenotype of the rds mouse, which is characterized by the failure of both rod and cone outer segment formation, suggest that the same rds gene is expressed in both types of photoreceptor cells.

Cones in the retina of the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus: an immunocytochemical and electrophysiological study

Immunocytochemistry revealed in the retina of the Mongolian gerbil three immunologically distinct photoreceptor cell types. Rods comprising about 87% of the total receptor population were selectively recognized by an antirhodopsin serum (AO). The most abundant cone type (11-13% of photoreceptors) was labeled by the monoclonal antibody COS-1, specific in mammals to the middle-to-long-wave sensitive cone visual pigments. A minor cone population (2.5-5% of the cones) reacted with the monoclonal antibody OS-2, shown earlier to bind to the blue cones in mammalian species. Color substitution experiments revealed on the ERG level a color discrimination capability which must be attributed to the cooperative activity of green-sensitive (COS-1 positive) and blue-sensitive (OS-2 positive) cones. We conclude that the Mongolian gerbil has a well developed cone system, and that it may possess dichromatic green-blue color vision.

Duplicity theory and ground squirrels: linkages between photoreceptors and visual function

The presence of rod and cone photoreceptors has traditionally been linked to well-defined classes of visual capacity by the generalization known as duplicity theory. This paper summarizes results obtained from studies of vision and the visual system in ground squirrels (Spermophilus sp.) that reveal instances where structure/function linkages depart from expectations based in duplicity theory. The details of these exceptions are reviewed and their possible mechanisms discussed.

Retinal projections in the ground squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus)

The retinal projections of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel were determined by tracing anterograde transport of intravitreally injected horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or wheat-germ conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Label was seen in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and adjacent anterior hypothalamic area, the accessory optic system (the medial, dorsal, and lateral terminal nuclei), the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nuclei, the intergeniculate leaflet, the pretectal nuclei (the anterior, posterior, and olivary pretectal nuclei and the nucleus of optic tract), and the superior colliculus. Most of these structures were labeled bilaterally, with dense contralateral label and sparse ipsilateral label, a pattern typical for animals with laterally placed eyes. However, the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the nucleus of the optic tract received input only from the contralateral eye. In contrast to previous degeneration studies, the sensitive HRP tracers (in conjunction with cytochrome-oxidase reactivity) revealed an elaborate organization within the lateral geniculate nucleus (dorsal LGN, ventral LGN, and intergeniculate leaflet) that is consistent with existing organizational schemes for other mammalian species.

Topography of cones and rods in the tree shrew retina

The topographical distribution of cones and rods in the tree shrew retina was analysed quantitatively in whole-mounted retinae and horizontal semithin sections stained with cresyl violet or toluidine blue. The outer nuclear layer consists of a single layer of photoreceptor nuclei with the rod nuclei slightly displaced towards the outer plexiform layer. This facilitated quantification of the photoreceptor populations. The density of cones ranges from 12,000/mm2 in the peripheral retina to a maximum of 36,000/mm2 in the inferior retina. Unlike ganglion cell density, the density of cones does not peak in the temporal retina. Rod density, between 500/mm2 and 3,500/mm2, also peaks in the inferior retina, but not in the same region as cone density. Rods constitute from 1 to 14% of the photoreceptor population, depending on retinal location, and have a local minimum at the central area. Amongst the cones a regularly arrayed subpopulation of presumed blue-sensitive cones is distinguished by its special staining properties. These cones constitute between 4 and 10% of the cone population depending on retinal location. A second, irregularly spaced, subpopulation of possibly pathological cones is also described.

Photocurrents of cone photoreceptors of the golden-mantled ground squirrel

1. Visual transduction in photoreceptors of the ground squirrel, Citellus lateralis, was studied by recording membrane current from individual cones in small pieces of retina. 2. Brief flashes of light produced transient reductions of the dark current; saturating response amplitudes were up to 67 pA. A flash strength of about 11,000 photons microns-2 at lambda max was required to give a half-saturating response. The stimulus-response relation was well fitted by an exponential saturation curve. Responses below 20% of maximum behaved linearly. 3. The response to a dim flash in most cells had a time to peak of 20-30 ms and resembled the impulse response of a series of five low-pass filters. 4. The variance of the dim-flash response amplitude put an upper limit of 80 fA on the size of the single photon response. Estimates based on the effective collecting area suggest the single photon response to be of the order of 10 fA. 5. Flash responses of squirrel cones usually lacked the undershoot observed in primate cones, although in about 1/3 of the cells a small undershoot developed during recording. 6. Background lights slightly shortened the time to peak of the flash response and reduced the integration time. 7. Spectral sensitivity measurements showed two classes of cones with peak sensitivities at about 520 and 435 nm. Rod sensitivity peaked near 500 nm. Spectral univariance was obeyed by all three classes of cells. 8. The shapes of the spectral sensitivity curves of the rod and both types of cones were similar to each other when plotted on a log wave number scale, but differed significantly from similar plots of monkey and human cone spectra. 9. The kinetics and sensitivity of flash responses of the blue- and green-sensitive cones were indistinguishable.

Morphology of ganglion cells which project to the dorsal lateral geniculate and superior colliculus in the ground squirrel

We wished to determine whether retinal ganglion cells that have axons terminating in the dorsal lateral geniculate and/or the superior colliculus have specific sizes of somata, comprising only part of the entire size range of ganglion cell somata. If so, then perhaps the specific functional types described by Michael might be associated with morphological types based on soma size. HRP was injected into either the superior colliculus (SC) or dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGd) of thirteen-lined ground squirrels. Soma diameter of labeled ganglion cells was measured and the relation between cell size and frequency determined. After SC injections HRP-filled cells were mostly small and medium-sized. They ranged in diameter from 3 to 14 microns and the mean diameter of labeled neurons was 7.35 microns. Cells labeled after SC injections were often distributed as doublets or triplets in the retina. After LGD injections the majority of labeled cells were medium and large-sized. They ranged from 4 to 18 microns in diameter with a mean of 9.1 microns and were more regularly spaced within the retinal region of labeled cells. Thus, the present results provide reason to believe that functional classes of ganglion cells in ground squirrels may be correlated with particular morphological types.

Temporal properties of the short-wavelength cone mechanism: comparison of receptor and postreceptor signals in the ground squirrel

Temporal properties of the short-wavelength cone mechanism of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), a dichromat, were explored with single light pulses and pulse trains. Both the electroretinogram (ERG) and the isolated PIII component of the retinal gross response were recorded under chromatic adaptation conditions that favored the detection of test lights by either the middle-wavelength mechanism or the short-wavelength mechanism. The ERG b-wave generated by the short-wavelength mechanism was significantly slower than that of the middle-wavelength mechanism, but there was no such difference in the PIII components of the two mechanisms. Analysis of PIII revealed that both cone types respond equally well to flicker at rates at least as high as 46 Hz. Differences in the temporal response properties of these two cone mechanisms must arise largely from post-receptoral interactions.

Four photoreceptor types in the ground squirrel retina as evidenced by immunocytochemistry

Previous morphological and electrophysiological data show that the ground squirrel retina consists of one rod and two different cone systems. In the present study, immunological evidence is presented that four different photoreceptor cell types are located in the retina of the European ground squirrel (Citellus citellus). In addition to the green and blue cones two rod-like photoreceptor cell types (types 1 and 2) can be distinguished using color specific anti-visual pigment antibodies.

Increment thresholds of the three spectral mechanisms in the retina of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)

Increment threshold (IT) functions were obtained for the electroretinogram (ERG) and for single units in the optic nerve of the California ground squirrel. The three spectral mechanisms providing input to ganglion cells in this retina were isolated and their increment thresholds to large field, long-duration stimuli were examined. Mean IT functions for the 519 nm mechanism (irrespective of unit class), the 500 nm mechanism, and the ERG all showed shallow log-log slopes between 0.52 and 0.63. The slope of the mean IT function for the 440 nm mechanism depended on the spectral character of the adapting light. When the dominant wavelength of this light was close to the peak sensitivity of the 440 nm mechanism, the mean IT function was steep (0.92), but when the dominant wavelength of the adapting light was at the cross-point of the opponent cells, the slope of the function was shallow (0.49). The difference in IT slope under these two conditions may be attributed to an additional sensitivity loss occuring at a spectrally-opponent site.

Spectral mechanisms and color vision in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri)

The retina of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) is heavily cone dominated, rods comprising less than 4% of the total photoreceptors. Spectral mechanisms and color vision were investigated in this species in both behavioral and electrophysiological experiments. In confirmation of an earlier investigation, the tree shrew was found to have a clear spectral neutral point (at ca 505 nm) and is thus a dichromat. Spectral sensitivity functions determined in an increment threshold discrimination task show two clear peaks (at ca 440 and 550-560 nm) with an intermediate region of lowered sensitivity centered at about 500 nm. Spectral sensitivity of the two cone types in this animal were determined using ERG flicker photometry. One of these cone classes has a peak at 556 nm; the other has a 444 nm peak.

Characterization of the color related receptor mosaic in the ground squirrel retina

Light microscopic and histochemical studies reveal that the retina of the European ground squirrel (Citellus citellus L.) contains a mosaic pattern of two cone types and a small population of rods. A minority (7%) of the cones can be characterized by their ellipsoids having larger diameters and increased staining density over the majority population. Exposure to green light selectively elicited intense NBT-diformazan labeling in the major population of cones while the larger diameter cone type was labeled after blue illumination. The two cone subpopulations are probably the blue and green cone types of ground squirrel protanopic color vision.

Development of spectral mechanisms in the ground squirrel retina following lid opening

The retina of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) contains three classes of photopigments (lambda max = 440, 500, 525 nm). From optic nerve recordings it was previously discovered that the effectiveness of signals from the 440 nm cone increase gradually over the weeks following lid opening. In this experiment several features of the electroretinogram (ERG) were examined to assess developmental changes in signals originating in the outer retina. As judged by threshold sensitivity, suprathreshold responsivity, or adaptability, the contribution of the 525 nm mechanism reaches its adult level two to three weeks after lid opening. The 500 nm mechanism appears to have a similar developmental time course. The development of the 440 nm mechanism was tracked using a chromatic adaptation measure. So indexed, the time required for this mechanism to reach its adult status was much greater than that for the other two mechanisms (70-80 days vs 40-45 days of age). The relatively slow development of effectiveness of the 440 spectral mechanism appears to reflect events occurring in the outer retina.

The distributions of photoreceptors and ganglion cells in the California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi

The topographical distributions of photoreceptors and ganglion cells of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) were quantified in a light microscopic study. The central retina contains broad, horizontal streaks of high photoreceptor density (40-44,000/mm2) and high ganglion cell density (20-24,000/mm2). The isodensity contours of both cell types are elliptical and oriented along the nasal-temporal axis. There are roughly five-fold decreases in both photoreceptor and ganglion cell densities with increasing eccentricity, the lowest densities being found in the superior retina. Large transitions in cell density and retinal thickness occur across the linear optic nerve head. Rod frequency increases with increasing eccentricity, from 5 to 7% in the central retina to 15 to 20% in the periphery. Roughly 10% of the cones possess wide, dark-staining ellipsoids. These cones are uniformly distributed across the retina which suggests that they may belong to a separate cone class, possibly blue-sensitive cones. The ganglion cell soma size distribution is unimodal, with the majority of somata being 25-50 micron2. Large ganglion cells (somata greater than 100 micron2) are rare in the central retina, but their frequency increases with increasing eccentricity. No evidence for separate size classes of ganglion cells was found. The gradual decrement of photoreceptor density across the ground squirrel retina suggests that there are only relatively small changes in acuity across much of the animal's visual space compared with species possessing either a narrow visual streak or fovea or area centralis.

A reweighting of receptor mechanisms in the ground squirrel retina: PIII and B-wave spectral sensitivity functions

PIII and b-wave spectral sensitivity functions were measured under various adapted conditions in the 13-lined ground squirrel. The PIII was isolated by intravitreal injection of sodium L-aspartate. Under the conditions studied, the PIII spectral sensitivity function always fitted the absorption spectrum of a 518 +/- 3 mm Dartnall nomogram. This suggests that of the three photoreceptors ('rod-like', 'blue' cone and 'green' cone) present in the 13-lined ground squirrel the green cones are the overwhelming majority. The dark-adapted b-wave had two components; a b1-wave with a spectral sensitivity that fitted a 516 +/- 1 nm Dartnall nomogram and a b2-wave with a spectral sensitivity that fitted a 502 +/- 4 nm Dartnall nomogram. The light-adapted b-wave had a spectral sensitivity that fitted a 516 +/- 2 nm Dartnall nomogram.

Rod photoreceptors and scotopic vision in ground aquirrels

Ground squirrel retinas contain a relatively small complement of rods (5--10% of all photoreceptors) which are thought to provide the basis for a weak scotopic visual capacity. In a previous investigation of the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) involving the recording of a retinal gross potential, the electroretinogram (ERG), electrophysiological evidence for a viable scotopic signal could be obtained from some, but not all of the ground squirrels examined. To further pursue the possibility that there is a structural/functional discrepancy in the relationship between rod photoreceptors and scotopic vision in the ground squirrel, several experiments involving electrophysiological, behavioral, and anatomical observations have been conducted. We found that although about one-third of the ERGs recorded from a large sample of California ground squirrels lack those characteristics which would indicate the presence of a viable scotopic signal, the retinas of all the squirrels appear to contain the same small population of rod photoreceptors. Additional experiments on the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis), including behavioral as well as ERG measurements and anatomical observations, lead to this same conclusion.

Spectral sensitivity and colour vision in the ground-dwelling sciurids: results from golden mantled ground squirrels and comparisons for five species

Behavioural measurements of several indices of visual sensitivity and colour vision for the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) are reported. The spectral sensitivity functions for this animal show a change from having a single peak at about 520 nm to having a strongly bipartite appearance with peaks at about 540 and 460 nm as the level of light adaptation is increased from low to higher levels. Discrimination tests reveal that these squirrels have dichromatic colour vision with spectral neutral points centered at 507.5 nm. Comparisons are made of the visual capacities of five species of ground-dwelling sciurids, all of which have been tested in the same situations. These comparisons indicate that: (1) the retinas of all of these species contain a small number of functional rods in addition to a much more obvious cone population; (2) the spectral sensitivity functions of these species do not show systematic variations; (3) the cone pigments found in the retinas of these animals have sensitivity peaks at about 440 and 525 nm; (4) all of these species have dichromatic colour vision; (5) there is no evidence for systematic differences in visual sensitivity or colour vision among these five species.