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Fogg LG, Chung WS, Justin Marshall N, Cortesi F, de Busserolles F. Multiple rod layers increase the speed and sensitivity of vision in nocturnal reef fishes. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231749. [PMID: 37989239 PMCID: PMC10688437 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Most vertebrates have one layer of the dim-light active rod photoreceptors. However, multiple rod layers, known as a multibank retina, can be found in over 100 species of fish, including several deep-sea species and one family of nocturnally active reef fish, the Holocentridae. Although seemingly associated with increased photon catch, the function of multibank retinas remained unknown. We used an integrative approach, combining histology, electrophysiology and amino acid sequence analysis, applied to three species of nocturnal reef fishes, two holocentrids with a multibank retina (Neoniphon sammara and Myripristis violacea) and an apogonid with a single rod bank (Ostorhinchus compressus), to determine the sensory advantage of multiple rod layers. Our results showed that fish with multibank retinas have both faster vision and enhanced responses to bright- and dim-light intensities. Faster vision was indicated by higher flicker fusion frequencies during temporal resolution electroretinography as well as faster retinal release rates estimated from their rhodopsin proteins. Enhanced sensitivity was demonstrated by broadened intensity-response curves derived from luminous sensitivity electroretinography. Overall, our findings provide the first functional evidence for enhanced dim-light sensitivity using a multibank retina while also suggesting novel roles for the adaptation in enhancing bright-light sensitivity and the speed of vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily G. Fogg
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Zoological Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wen-Sung Chung
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - N. Justin Marshall
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Fabio Cortesi
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Fanny de Busserolles
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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2
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Gao X, Lin S, Zhang M, Lyu M, Liu Y, Luo X, You W, Ke C. Review: Use of Electrophysiological Techniques to Study Visual Functions of Aquatic Organisms. Front Physiol 2022; 13:798382. [PMID: 35153830 PMCID: PMC8829447 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.798382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The light environments of natural water sources have specific characteristics. For the majority of aquatic organisms, vision is crucial for predation, hiding from predators, communicating information, and reproduction. Electroretinography (ERG) is a diagnostic method used for assessing visual function. An electroretinogram records the comprehensive potential response of retinal cells under light stimuli and divides it into several components. Unique wave components are derived from different retinal cells, thus retinal function can be determined by analyzing these components. This review provides an overview of the milestones of ERG technology, describing how ERG is used to study visual sensitivity (e.g., spectral sensitivity, luminous sensitivity, and temporal resolution) of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic organisms (seals, sea lions, sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, and jellyfish). In addition, it describes the correlations between visual sensitivity and habitat, the variation of visual sensitivity as a function of individual growth, and the diel cycle changes of visual sensitivity. Efforts to identify the visual sensitivity of different aquatic organisms are vital to understanding the environmental plasticity of biological evolution and for directing aquaculture, marine fishery, and ecosystem management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shihui Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Mingxin Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yafeng Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Weiwei You
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Caihuan Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Cohen JH, Last KS, Charpentier CL, Cottier F, Daase M, Hobbs L, Johnsen G, Berge J. Photophysiological cycles in Arctic krill are entrained by weak midday twilight during the Polar Night. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001413. [PMID: 34665816 PMCID: PMC8525745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Light plays a fundamental role in the ecology of organisms in nearly all habitats on Earth and is central for processes such as vision and the entrainment of the circadian clock. The poles represent extreme light regimes with an annual light cycle including periods of Midnight Sun and Polar Night. The Arctic Ocean extends to the North Pole, and marine light extremes reach their maximum extent in this habitat. During the Polar Night, traditional definitions of day and night and seasonal photoperiod become irrelevant since there are only "twilight" periods defined by the sun's elevation below the horizon at midday; we term this "midday twilight." Here, we characterize light across a latitudinal gradient (76.5° N to 81° N) during Polar Night in January. Our light measurements demonstrate that the classical solar diel light cycle dominant at lower latitudes is modulated during Arctic Polar Night by lunar and auroral components. We therefore question whether this particular ambient light environment is relevant to behavioral and visual processes. We reveal from acoustic field observations that the zooplankton community is undergoing diel vertical migration (DVM) behavior. Furthermore, using electroretinogram (ERG) recording under constant darkness, we show that the main migratory species, Arctic krill (Thysanoessa inermis) show endogenous increases in visual sensitivity during the subjective night. This change in sensitivity is comparable to that under exogenous dim light acclimations, although differences in speed of vision suggest separate mechanisms. We conclude that the extremely weak midday twilight experienced by krill at high latitudes during the darkest parts of the year has physiological and ecological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H. Cohen
- School of Marine Science & Policy, University of Delaware, Lewes, Delaware, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kim S. Last
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, United Kingdom
| | - Corie L. Charpentier
- Department of Biology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, United States of America
| | - Finlo Cottier
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, United Kingdom
- UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty for Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Malin Daase
- UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty for Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Laura Hobbs
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, United Kingdom
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Geir Johnsen
- University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
- Centre of Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jørgen Berge
- UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Faculty for Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, Tromsø, Norway
- University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
- Centre of Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Robles E, Fields NP, Baier H. The zebrafish visual system transmits dimming information via multiple segregated pathways. J Comp Neurol 2020; 529:539-552. [PMID: 32484919 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate retinas contain circuits specialized to encode light level decrements. This information is transmitted to the brain by dimming-sensitive OFF retinal ganglion cells (OFF-RGCs) that respond to light decrements with increased firing. It is known that OFF-RGCs with distinct photosensitivity profiles form parallel visual channels to the vertebrate brain, yet how these channels are processed by first- and higher order brain areas has not been well characterized in any species. To address this question in the larval zebrafish visual system, we examined the visual response properties of a genetically identified population of tectal neurons with a defined axonal projection to a second-order visual area: id2b:gal4-positive torus longitudinalis projection neurons (TLPNs). TLPNs responded consistently to whole-field dimming stimuli and exhibited the strongest responses when dimming was preceded by low light levels. Functional characterization of OFF-RGC terminals in tectum revealed responses that varied in their photosensitivities: (a) low-sensitivity OFF-RGCs that selectively respond to large light decrements, (b) high-sensitivity OFF-RGCs that selectively encode small decrements, and (c) broad sensitivity OFF-RGCs that respond to a wide range of light decrements. Diverse photosensitivity profiles were also observed using pan-neuronal calcium imaging to identify dimming-responsive neurons in both tectum and torus longitudinalis. Together, these data support a model in which parallel OFF channels generated in the retina remain segregated across three stages of visual processing. Segregated OFF channels with different sensitivities may allow specific aspects of dimming-evoked behaviors to be modulated by ambient light levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estuardo Robles
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Nicholas P Fields
- Department of Biological Sciences and Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Herwig Baier
- Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
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Hasenei A, Kerstetter DW, Horodysky AZ, Brill RW. Physiological limits to inshore invasion of Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.): insights from the functional characteristics of their visual system and hypoxia tolerance. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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6
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Brill RW, Horodysky AZ, Place AR, Larkin MEM, Reimschuessel R. Effects of dietary taurine level on visual function in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214347. [PMID: 31211780 PMCID: PMC6581246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary insufficiencies have been well documented to decrease growth rates and survival (and therefore overall production) in fish aquaculture. By contrast, the effects of dietary insufficiencies on the sensory biology of cultured fish remains largely unstudied. Diets based solely on plant protein sources could have advantages over fish-based diets because of the cost and ecological effects of the latter, but plant proteins lack the amino acid taurine. Adequate levels of taurine are, however, necessary for the development of a fully functional visual system in mammals. As part of ongoing studies to determine the suitability of plant-based diets, we investigated the effects of normal and reduced taurine dietary levels on retinal anatomy and function in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). We could not demonstrate any effects of dietary taurine level on retinal anatomy, nor the functional properties of luminous sensitivity and temporal resolution (measured as flicker fusion frequency). We did, however, find an effect on spectral sensitivity. The peak of spectral sensitivity of individuals fed a 5% taurine diet was rightward shifted (i.e., towards longer wavelengths) relative to that of fish fed a 0% or 1.5% taurine diet. This difference in in spectral sensitivity was due to a relatively lower level of middle wavelength pigment (maximum absorbance .500 nm) in fish fed a 5% taurine diet. Changes in spectral sensitivity resulting from diets containing different taurine levels are unlikely to be detrimental to fish destined for market, but could be in fishes that are being reared for stock enhancement programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W. Brill
- Department of Fisheries Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Andrij Z. Horodysky
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Allen R. Place
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mary E. M. Larkin
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Renate Reimschuessel
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
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Matsuo M, Ando Y, Kamei Y, Fukamachi S. A semi-automatic and quantitative method to evaluate behavioral photosensitivity in animals based on the optomotor response (OMR). Biol Open 2018; 7:7/6/bio033175. [PMID: 29921705 PMCID: PMC6031347 DOI: 10.1242/bio.033175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The optomotor response (OMR) is a locomotor behavior of animals that is induced by moving repetitive visual stimuli. This characteristic helps animals particularly when stabilizing and maintaining position in schools and herds. Here, we developed a simple but sensitive method for quantifying the OMR using medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model. This method, which simply requires video-recorded behavior, free tracking software, and a generic spreadsheet program, enables the evaluation of spectral sensitivity by researchers with little knowledge about the behavioral characteristics of the test animal or of the OMR. Based on a manual method, we reported previously that wild-type and red-colorblind medaka exhibited an OMR up to λ=830 and 740 nm, respectively. However, the present method, which quantifies the OMR according to three parameters (starting time, duration, and total distance of swimming) that are calculated based on a series of x–y coordinates of the moving fish, supported that conclusion and further indicated that both strains perceive light at even longer wavelengths. This low-cost, quantitative, and semi-automatic method would widen the opportunities to unveil behavioral photosensitivity in animals of interest. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: A semi-automatic analytical method for the assessment of the optomotor response was developed. This procedure was animal friendly and enabled the quantitative evaluation of fish optic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Matsuo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Japan Women's University, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan
| | - Yoriko Ando
- Spectrography and Bioimaging Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kamei
- Spectrography and Bioimaging Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology, Aichi 444-8585, Japan.,Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Shoji Fukamachi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Japan Women's University, Tokyo 112-8681, Japan
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Warrington RE, Hart NS, Potter IC, Collin SP, Hemmi JM. Retinal temporal resolution and contrast sensitivity in the parasitic lamprey Mordacia mordax and its non-parasitic derivative Mordacia praecox. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:1245-1255. [PMID: 28108670 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.150383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lampreys and hagfishes are the sole extant representatives of the early agnathan (jawless) vertebrates. We compared retinal function of fully metamorphosed, immature Mordacia mordax (which are about to commence parasitic feeding) with those of sexually mature individuals of its non-parasitic derivative Mpraecox We focused on elucidating the retinal adaptations to dim-light environments in these nocturnally active lampreys, using electroretinography to determine the temporal resolution (flicker fusion frequency, FFF) and temporal contrast sensitivity of enucleated eyecups at different temperatures and light intensities. FFF was significantly affected by temperature and light intensity. Critical flicker fusion frequency (cFFF, the highest FFF recorded) of M. praecox and M. mordax increased from 15.1 and 21.8 Hz at 9°C to 31.1 and 36.9 Hz at 24°C, respectively. Contrast sensitivity of both species increased by an order of magnitude between 9 and 24°C, but remained comparatively constant across all light intensities. Although FFF values for Mordacia spp. are relatively low, retinal responses showed a particularly high contrast sensitivity of 625 in M. praecox and 710 in M. mordax at 24°C. This suggests selective pressures favour low temporal resolution and high contrast sensitivity in both species, thereby enhancing the capture of photons and increasing sensitivity in their light-limited environments. FFF indicated all retinal photoreceptors exhibit the same temporal response. Although the slow response kinetics (i.e. low FFF) and saturation of the response at bright light intensities characterise the photoreceptors of both species as rod-like, it is unusual for such a photoreceptor to be functional under scotopic and photopic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Warrington
- School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia .,UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Nathan S Hart
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ian C Potter
- Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Research, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Shaun P Collin
- School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.,UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jan M Hemmi
- School of Biological Sciences (M092), The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.,UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Spectral sensitivity, luminous sensitivity, and temporal resolution of the visual systems in three sympatric temperate coastal shark species. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2014; 200:997-1013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-014-0950-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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