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Qian R, Frank TM. Comparative study of spectral sensitivity, irradiance sensitivity, spatial resolution and temporal resolution in the visual systems of Ocypode quadrata and Aratus pisonii. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246813. [PMID: 38149660 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Early pioneering studies by Autrum on terrestrial arthropods first revealed that the visual systems of arthropods reflected their lifestyles and habitats. Subsequent studies have examined and confirmed Autrum's hypothesis that visual adaptions are driven by predator-prey interactions and activity cycles, with rapidly moving predatory diurnal species generally possessing better temporal resolution than slower moving nocturnal species. However, few studies have compared the vision between diurnal herbivores and nocturnal predators. In this study, the visual physiology of a nocturnal fast-moving predatory crab, the Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) and a diurnal herbivorous crab, the mangrove tree crab (Aratus pisonii), was examined. Spectral sensitivity, irradiance sensitivity and temporal resolution of the crabs were quantified using the electroretinogram (ERG), while the spatial resolution was calculated utilizing morphological methods. Both O. quadrata and A. pisonii had a single dark-adapted spectral sensitivity peak (494 and 499 nm, respectively) and chromatic adaptation had no effect on their spectral sensitivity, indicating that both species have monochromatic visual systems. The temporal resolution of O. quadrata was not significantly different from that of A. pisonii, but O. quadrata did possess a significantly greater spatial resolution and irradiance sensitivity. Both species possess an acute zone in the anterior region of their eyes. The data presented in this study will aid in the current understanding of the correlation between visual physiology and the life history of the animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchao Qian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Tamara M Frank
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL 33004, USA
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Taub M, Goldshtein A, Boonman A, Eitan O, Hurme E, Greif S, Yovel Y. What determines the information update rate in echolocating bats. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1187. [PMID: 37989853 PMCID: PMC10663583 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The rate of sensory update is one of the most important parameters of any sensory system. The acquisition rate of most sensory systems is fixed and has been optimized by evolution to the needs of the animal. Echolocating bats have the ability to adjust their sensory update rate which is determined by the intervals between emissions - the inter-pulse intervals (IPI). The IPI is routinely adjusted, but the exact factors driving its regulation are unknown. We use on-board audio recordings to determine how four species of echolocating bats with different foraging strategies regulate their sensory update rate during commute flights. We reveal strong correlations between the IPI and various echolocation and movement parameters. Specifically, the update rate increases when the signals' peak-energy frequency and intensity increases while the update rate decreases when flight speed and altitude increases. We suggest that bats control their information update rate according to the behavioral mode they are engaged in, while always maintaining sensory continuity. Specifically, we suggest that bats apply two modes of attention during commute flights. Our data moreover suggests that bats emit echolocation signals at accurate intervals without the need for external feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mor Taub
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Aya Goldshtein
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, 78464, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Arjan Boonman
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Ofri Eitan
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Edward Hurme
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Greif
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
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Cortese ARB, Reimchen TE. View from below: experimental manipulation of water surfaces to evaluate visual integrity of heron-like models through Snell’s window. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The water–air interface is a globally widespread habitat for interactions between prey and predators. We experimentally manipulated water surface conditions (flat, smooth waves, three levels of current-induced turbulence) and digitally quantified the visual integrity of above-surface models from a subsurface perspective. Progressive fragmentation was present in each of the models (upright heron, crouched heron, vertical block, horizontal block) with increased departure from flat surface conditions. Smooth directional waves produced multiple horizontal bands (shadows) that moved across the models while surface currents distorted the profile, including progressive disintegration of the models appearance into multiple fragments of different sizes. This fragmentation is caused by scattered surface irregularities interacting with waves and is accentuated at the broken periphery of the optical window, reducing recognition of the models. Unexpectedly, we found that bands and fragments emerging from different surface conditions resemble common frontal plumage patterns on some Ardeidae and shorebirds (Charadriiformes). While these natural plumages are widely recognized to reflect a diversity of adaptations, including camouflage in terrestrial habitats, we suggest that their resemblance to water surface-induced fragmentation might also reflect foraging adaptations of predators though the water–air interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R B Cortese
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 , Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2 , Canada
| | - T E Reimchen
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 , Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2Y2 , Canada
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Mankowska ND, Marcinkowska AB, Waskow M, Sharma RI, Kot J, Winklewski PJ. Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency: A Narrative Review. Medicina (Kaunas) 2021; 57:1096. [PMID: 34684133 PMCID: PMC8537539 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57101096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This review presents the current knowledge of the usage of critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) in human and animal model studies. CFF has a wide application in different fields, especially as an indicator of cortical arousal and visual processing. In medicine, CFF may be helpful for diagnostic purposes, for example in epilepsy or minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Given the environmental studies and a limited number of other methods, it is applicable in diving and hyperbaric medicine. Current research also shows the relationship between CFF and other electrophysiological methods, such as electroencephalography. The human eye can detect flicker at 50-90 Hz but reports are showing the possibility to distinguish between steady and modulated light up to 500 Hz. Future research with the use of CFF is needed to better understand its utility and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia D. Mankowska
- Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Anna B. Marcinkowska
- Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- 2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, 76-200 Slupsk, Poland;
| | - Monika Waskow
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, 76-200 Slupsk, Poland;
| | - Rita I. Sharma
- Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jacek Kot
- National Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Pawel J. Winklewski
- 2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
- Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, 76-200 Slupsk, Poland;
- Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
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Abstract
Animals use their sensory systems to sample information from their environments. The physiological properties of sensory systems differ, leading animals to perceive their environments in different ways. For example, eyes have different temporal sampling rates, with faster-sampling eyes able to resolve faster-moving scenes. Eyes can also have different dynamic ranges. For every eye, there is a light level below which vision is unreliable because of an insufficient signal-to-noise ratio and a light level above which the photoreceptors are saturated. Here, we report that the eyes of the snapping shrimp Alpheus heterochaelis have a temporal sampling rate of at least 160 Hz, making them the fastest-sampling eyes ever described in an aquatic animal. Fast-sampling eyes help flying animals detect objects moving across their retinas at high angular velocities. A. heterochaelis are fast-moving animals that live in turbid, structurally complex oyster reefs and their fast-sampling eyes, like those of flying animals, may help them detect objects moving rapidly across their retinas. We also report that the eyes of A. heterochaelis have a broad dynamic range that spans conditions from late twilight (approx. 1 lux) to direct sunlight (approx. 100 000 lux), a finding consistent with the circatidal activity patterns of this shallow-dwelling species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C N Kingston
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Daniel R Chappell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Daniel I Speiser
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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