Abstract
Visual sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light is widespread in the animal kingdom. Many studies on UV vision have utilized physiological and/or anatomical methods to determine whether animals are visually sensitive to UV wavelengths. However, ultimately behavioral methods can reveal whether retinal UV sensitivity results in perceptual detection of UV stimuli. For the widely studied zebrafish (Danio rerio), the adult retina possesses cone photoreceptors that are sensitive to UV light. Here, we used a behavioral technique, the escape response assay, to test whether adult zebrafish can visually detect and behaviorally respond to visual cues that reflect UV. We found that adult zebrafish robustly respond to UV reflecting cues under UV light while showing no responses to the same cues under no UV light. From our results, we confirm that adult zebrafish can visually detect UV reflecting cues and show that UV perceptual sensitivity is functional in adult zebrafish. Our study highlights the utility of the fish escape response assay for UV visual behavior research.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.