Spectral sensitivity of white-eyed insect mutants in the UV, blue and green

Abstract

The spectral sensitivity curves (SSCs) of visual cells of screening pigment-free insect eyes, and the template absorbance spectra of vertebrate visual pigments have been compared. The bandwidth of the SSC was used as a matching parameter and was measured in nine preparations representing three spectral domains, ultraviolet, blue and green. The bandwidth of the SSC proved to be narrower than in the template absorbance spectra. This finding implies either that the vertebrate templates are not valid to describe spectral absorbance of insect visual pigments in situ, or that the spectral behaviour of insect visual pigments in situ is not exactly the same as in vitro conditions.