Wavelength dependence of the optomotor response in zebrafish ( Danio rerio)

Abstract

The action spectrum of motion detection in zebrafish ( Danio rerio) was measured using the optomotor response in the light adapted state. The function has a single maximum at 550–600 nm, and is similar to the spectral sensitivity function of the L-cone type in the mid and long wavelength range. At shorter wavelengths the values of three of the five fish tested are lower. As in goldfish [Vis. Res. 36 (1996) 4025], the result indicates a dominance of the L-cone type with an inhibitory influence of M- or S-cones. Experiments with a red/green striped cylinder showed that the optomotor response was at minimum whenever the L-cone type was not modulated by the moving pattern. This demonstrates that motion vision in zebrafish is “color blind”, using mainly one of the four cone types probably involved in color vision.