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First published online January 5, 2005
Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 261-265 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01395
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The pupillary response of cephalopods

R. H. Douglas1,*, R. Williamson2 and H.-J. Wagner3

1 Applied Vision Research Centre, The Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Vision Sciences, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK
2 School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
3 Anatomisches Institut, Universität Tübingen, Österbergstrasse 3, 72074 Tübingen, Germany

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: r.h.douglas{at}city.ac.uk)

Accepted 15 November 2004

This paper provides the first detailed description of the time courses of light-evoked pupillary constriction for two species of cephalopods, Sepia officinalis (a cuttlefish) and Eledone cirrhosa (an octopus). The responses are much faster than hitherto reported, full contraction in Sepia taking less than 1 s, indicating it is among the most rapid pupillary responses in the animal kingdom. We also describe the dependence of the degree of pupil constriction on the level of ambient illumination and show considerable variability between animals. Furthermore, both Sepia and Eledone lack a consensual light-evoked pupil response. Pupil dilation following darkness in Sepia is shown to be very variable, often occurring within a second but at other times taking considerably longer. This may be the result of extensive light-independent variations in pupil diameter in low levels of illumination.

Key words: pupil, eye, cephalopod, squid, octopus, Eledone cirrhosa, cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis






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