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First published online May 18, 2006
Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 2034-2041 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02171

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Spectral sensitivity of the two-spotted goby Gobiusculus flavescens (Fabricius): a physiological and behavioural study

Anne C. Utne-Palm^1,* and James K. Bowmaker²

¹ Department of Biology, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
² Division of Visual Science, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: anne.palm{at}bio.uib.no)

Accepted 14 February 2006

Microspectrophotometry of Gobiusculus flavescens photoreceptors revealed a single rod visual pigment (_maxat 508 nm) and the three cone pigments (_max 456, 531 and 553 nm). The cone population was dominated by identical double cones containing the middle-wave-sensitive (MWS) pigment, but with a small number of non-identical MWS/LWS (long-wave-sensitive) and identical LWS double cones. Small populations of large single cones also contained either the MWS or LWS pigment. The short-wave-sensitive (SWS) pigment was found in small single cones. Lens transmission was great reduced below 410 nm.

The spectral sensitivity of the behaviourally determined reaction distance (RD) to prey at a high irradiance level 0.5 µmol m^-2 s^-1) correlated with the maximum sensitivity of the MWS cones, both peaking around 530 nm. However, at a lower irradiance level (0.015 µmol m^-2 s^-1)such a correlation was not so apparent. The RD was greatly reduced, though still maintaining a peak around 530-550 nm, but with a relatively smaller reduction in RD at shorter wavelengths. Optomotor behaviour displayed a somewhat similar spectral sensitivity to the RD responses at the higher light intensity. However, the peak was at slightly longer wavelengths at 550 nm, suggesting a greater input from LWS cones to the optomotor response.

Key words: visual pigment, reaction distance, optomotor response, Gobiusculus flavescens